Eagles' Saquon Barkley: I Didn't Handle Giants Exit 'Right Way' amid Tiki Barber Beef | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors
Newly signed Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley isn't happy with the way his departure from the New York Giants ended on a sour note.
After getting into a back-and-forth with former Giants running back Tiki Barber earlier this week, Barkley told reporters on Thursday that he has "nothing but love and respect" for the team and admitted, "I don't think I really handled it the right way on social media."
The running back later discussed the situation in a statement on X:
Saquon Barkley @saquon<a href="">
Barber ignited a fiery situation when he responded to Barkley's signing with Philadelphia by saying on his show on WFAN Sports Radio, "You're dead to us, Saquon. Good luck, you're dead to me." Barkley didn't take kindly to his declaration and responded harshly with a pair of tweets:
Saquon Barkley @saquon<a href="">@TikiBarber</a> lol yup you're the prime example of loyalty to a team.. I got the deal I wanted, secured more gm which wasn't given to me before… so if fans are gonna hate me for that so be it! But I never turned my back on my teammates and always had theirs <a href="">
Saquon Barkley @saquon<a href="">@TikiBarber</a> you been a hater since I got to New York … and all the "Dead to me" talk don't smile in my face when you see me
Barber later told ESPN's Jordan Raanan that he was speaking in a "tongue-in-cheek" manner. However, his comments became a go-to phrase for other players who wanted to troll their teammates who departed in free agency:
Lamar Jackson @Lj_era8<a href="">@Patrickqueen_</a> You're Dead to us, Queen. Good luck, You're Dead to me. <a href=""> <a href="">
Ty Hill @cheetahYour dead to us , good luck but your dead to me 🫣 <a href="">
Barkley departed the Giants after six seasons to join the NFC East rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract. New York had the option of placing the franchise tag on him for the second straight offseason but instead allowed him to test free agency, and now the team will have to face him as an opponent twice a year.
The 27-year-old is joining a Philadelphia team that is just one year removed from representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. After the Eagles' 2023 campaign ended in disappointing fashion with a loss in the Wild Card Round, they will undoubtedly be motivated to bounce back in a big way next season.
Adding Barkley gives Philadelphia one of the most talented offensive units in football, as he should thrive alongside star quarterback Jalen Hurts and receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.
