Giants Owner John Mara Feels Sick About The Fact That Saquon Barkley Joined Eagles

John Mara, the president, CEO, and co-owner of the New York Giants, was not pleased with the star running back Saquon Barkley’s free agency departure this summer, especially to the team’s bitter rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Giants Owner John Mara Feels Sick About The Fact That Saquon Barkley Joined Eagles

He texted Barkley on Monday, telling reporters that he was “sick” to see him go.

When it became obvious that Barkley, who had been going and going, was ultimately going to be gone, the sentiment was communicated via text message.

“Pretty quickly after the signing period started,’’ Mara, the Giants’ co-owner, said Monday at the NFL’s annual league meeting. “I told him that I was sick about losing him, told him he was a class act, and it was a very nice exchange we had.’’

During his six seasons with the Giants, the 27-year-old ran for 1,000 yards or more three times and scored 47 touchdowns in total. He was a two-time Pro Bowler.

He expressed “so much respect” for the Tisch and Mara families to Complex’s Zion Olojede in January, and he said that, at least in the beginning of his career, he thought he would retire a Giant. It “never crossed my mind” to leave the group until “last year after I got tagged.”

“It was tough breaking the news to them,’’ said Mara, who expressed similar familial reservations a few years ago when Odell Beckham Jr. was traded away. “Everything he did for us on the field, off the field, he was a class act in every respect and I hated to see him leave.’’

Mara was especially upset that Barkley signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million to play with the NFC East rival Eagles.

“Once you get to this point, you go to your contract negotiation and you go through the tag process, you realize how much of a business it is,” he stated. “And I remember vets always telling me this and you know I believed them, but you don’t really know something until you go through it.”

The Giants allegedly made him no offer at all, and Barkley ultimately accepted an offer from the Eagles for a three-year, $37.7 million contract for up to $46.7 million. Barkley then moved south to Philadelphia. Mara may be ill right now, but if his former running back frequently burns the Giants, he’ll be in serious trouble.

Did the Eagles tamper with Saquon Barkley?

Unless the player is representing himself without an agent, the Eagles have disputed that anything improper occurred within the 52-hour window during which clubs are only allowed to speak with representatives.

How many Pro Bowls does Saquon have?

Saquon Barkley spent six seasons with the Giants as a player. In addition to 288 catches for 2,100 yards and 47 touchdowns, he has 1,201 carries for 5,211 yards. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year title and was chosen to participate in two Pro Bowls.

Is Saquon Barkley a free agent?

The Eagles sign Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract when he becomes a free agent.

 

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