Saquon Barkley was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie season with the New York Giants with 1,307 rushing yards and became a fan favorite.
However, Barkley's agent and the Giants' front office were unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension during the offseason. Barkley entered the free agent market for the first time in his career, signing with the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles.
When Barkley returns to MetLife Stadium this Sunday, he will no longer be considered a favorite among Giants fans. It will be Barkley's first time playing there as an Eagle.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley leaves the field after a victory over the Green Bay Packers at Neo Quimica Arena in Sao Paulo on September 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Barkley will emerge from the visiting team's locker room and take to the field wearing the opposing team's jersey, but he doesn't expect boos to rain down on him from Giants fans.
“I don't expect a big reaction. I don't expect any boos,” Barkley said. “The way I look at it is this: The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Football Giants have probably played over 200 games. This rivalry existed before me and will exist after me.”
Eli Manning is the best big game quarterback, says former Giants coach
Barkley also indicated that the emotions surrounding his departure from the Giants have largely subsided.
“I may be naive, but I think it's over. That chapter is over,” he told reporters before the Eagles' Week 6 win over the Cleveland Browns. Certainly the fans don't care anymore.”
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley after a game on January 7, 2024. (Kevin R. Wexler/USA Today Network)
Before Sunday's game in New Jersey began, Barkley said he was already envisioning scoring a touchdown.
“I'm sure I can visualize myself breaking out on long touchdown runs and playing there,” Barkley told ESPN. “It's a long journey.”
New York general manager Joe Schon had discussions with Barkley and his representatives during the offseason, but stopped short of officially offering the running back a new contract. The Giants' response to the Barkley situation was chronicled on HBO's “Hard Knocks.”
A clip from the show shows Giants co-owner and CEO John Mara telling Schoen, “If Saquon goes to Philadelphia, he's going to have a hard time sleeping.” It had been.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones leaves the field after a game against the Dallas Cowboys on September 26, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Barkley previously admitted he still keeps in touch with some of his former teammates.
“I still keep in touch with a lot of the guys over there. I was there for six years. I made a lot of friends,” he said. “I don't have any bad feelings towards those people.”
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones said he speaks with Barkley “frequently” and admitted it was an adjustment to see his former teammate don the green jersey.
“It's a little different. I'm just used to being on the field with him and seeing him in Giants colors,” Jones said. “So, yeah, it was definitely a little different the first time I saw him in an Eagles uniform.”
The Giants and Eagles will kick off Sunday at 1pm ET.
Follow sports coverage on Fox News Digital's X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
