Joe Schoen has no hard feelings toward Saquon Barkley after his Super Bowl win.
The Giants general manager had only kind words for the Eagles running back during a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.
“I’m happy for Saquon,” Schoen said. “Obviously he went on to win the Super Bowl and we wish him nothing but the best.”
In the same breath, Schoen defended the franchise’s decision to let Barkley walk in free agency last summer.
“…Always going to evaluate all the decisions you make and we were at a different place in our build,” he said. “Again, love Saquon and wish him nothing but the best.”
Barkley, of course, bolted from New York for Philadelphia after six seasons with Big Blue, signing a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles before their тιтle-winning 2024 season.
The deal proved to be one of the biggest steals in recent NFL history after Barkley ran for a career-high 2,005 yards with 15 total touchdowns during the regular season.
Earlier this month, before the Feb. 9 Super Bowl, Barkley expressed love for the Giants faithful.
“My message to Giants fans would be, ‘It’s nothing but love,’” Barkley said. “I’d be naive to think that they weren’t supportive to me over the last six years. Obviously a few of them were disappointed with my decision, but the way I look at it, all the things that happened over there and the love I have for them is the reason that I’m able to have the success I’m having now.”
While at the podium, Schoen also addressed the Giants’ starting quarterback plan for this offseason.
“I’m for taking swings at that position,’’ Schoen said. “It’s the most important position and it’s hard to find ‘em, so keep swinging. Keep swinging at the position until you find one.’’
