During the two weeks before Super Bowl LIX, a storyline sure to be frequently revisited is Saquon Barkley playing in the big game with the Philadelphia Eagles one season after the New York Giants decided not to re-sign him as a free agent.
Letting Barkley go to an NFC East rival was already a bad look. The decision appeared even worse when the seven-year veteran rushed for a career-high 2,005 yards, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to surpass the 2K mark.
And now, he has an opportunity to win a Super Bowl after rushing for 115 yards and three touchdown in Sunday’s 55-23 NFC championship game victory over the Washington Commanders.
Meanwhile, the Giants finished 3-14 while Tyrone Tracy Jr. led the team with 839 rushing yards. And the team is currently considering who to select with the No. 3 selection in April’s NFL Draft.
On Yahoo Sports’ “McCoy & Van Noy” podcast, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy said the Giants have to live with watching a generational talent that once on their roster find great success elsewhere.
“I just want to give my kudos to Saquon. How he’s handled this whole situation has been just first class,” said Van Noy. “Always love to the Giants, but he’s like, you know what, I got a new family. I got the Eagles. I’m gonna put the Eagles on my back like I did the Giants… and go all the way.
“He’s used this year as a middle finger year,” he added. “I literally see that in his play, the enthusiasm he has each and every time he gets the ball.”
McCoy agreed, saying “it would give me so much gratification” to stick it to his old team like that.
Van Noy added that the entire situation hasn’t gotten enough attention and needs to be “put more on blast.” However, it likely will during the next two weeks as media looks for storylines to pursue.
Barkley and the Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Feb. 9. Philadelphia ranked second in the NFL, averaging 179.3 yards per game, while the Chiefs allowed 101.8 rushing yards per game, finishing eighth in the NFL. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET.
