Jacob Gumaer
Contributing Writer
Free agency for the 2024 National Football League season is in full swing, as the new league year got underway this past week.
The leaguewide “legal tampering” period began this past Monday, March 11 at noon ET, and ran up until Thursday, March 13th, at 4 p.m. ET. After this time, any trades or free agency talks made during the tampering period can be made official.
During the three-day tampering period, a plethora of shocking, albeit yet unofficial, moves were announced. While some players were traded from bottom feeders to Super Bowl contenders and others were signed to unexpected contracts, one player seemed to grab all the spotlight.
That player is a star NFL running back, Saquon Barkley.
Just before 3 p.m. on Monday, the former New York Giants star running back signed a 3-year, $37.7 million contract with the Giants’ longtime division rival Philadelphia Eagles, sparking discussion from not only fans of either team but former and current players around the league as well.
Barkley’s decision to join New York’s fiercest rival was immediately scrutinized by Giants all-time leading rusher Tiki Barber. “You’re dead to us, Saquon. Good luck, you’re dead to me.” Barber said during his daily talk show on New York’s WFAN radio.
Barber was a part of the Giants for his entire 10-year career, spanning from 1997-2006. During this time, the rivalry between New York and Philadelphia was at an all-time high, as both franchises were contenders for nearly all of Barber’s tenure. As a result of this, Barber has a staunchly negative perspective towards the Eagles.
Shortly afterward, Barkley fired back. In a response to the clip, Barkley wrote on X, “@TikiBarber Lol, 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 to hate me for that so be it! But I never turned my back on my teammates and always had theirs.”
Barkley was most likely referring to comments made by Barber in 2007, in which Barber said he had been “uncomfortable” with former Giants quarterback Eli Manning’s leadership.
Barkley later doubled down on his response to Barber, once again taking to X to say, “@TikiBarber 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.”
During his introductory press conference with the Eagles on Friday, Barkley showed remorse for his comments towards Barber and the Giants fanbase.
“I got nothing but love and respect for those guys… I don’t think I really handled it the right way on social media,” Barkley said. “But yeah, I’m forever grateful for the Giants fans.”
After a hectic week for the Giants, people within the organization and fans alike aim to put the drama of losing a key player behind them as they turn their focus to their own free agency moves and the upcoming NFL Draft.
