He has scored five total touchdowns through three weeks, and even the most strident New York Giants fan has to admit that Saquon Barkley is currently the Philadelphia Eagles' MVP candidate.
Former Giants offensive lineman Justin Pugh didn't want to see No. 26 Barkley put on the green and white when free agency came around, but the Eagles gave Barkley what he wanted. To make matters worse, the Pro Bowl back said this week that the Giants “were never an option” during that process either.
For a player who has consistently said he wants to be a Giant for life, Barkley thriving in Philadelphia is a real pain for fans, but it's a reality Pugh can't deny.
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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (No. 26) leaves the field after the 2024 NFL game between Sao Paulo and the Green Bay Packers at Neo Quimica Arena. (Kirby Lee Images)
“Saquon is the MVP of the NFL right now,” he told Fox News Digital. “The Eagles are 0-3 without Saquon Barkley. With one catch from him, they're 3-0. Literally 3-0.”
Giants fans got a “bad game watching” moment when Barkley dropped a fourth-down, short pass that could have resulted in a first down and game over against the Atlanta Falcons, who pulled off an upset in Week 2 with a miracle drive led by Kirk Cousins.
Outside of that unfortunate moment, Barkley was the driving force behind an Eagles offense without A.J. Brown, and quarterback Jalen Hurts had four interceptions and four touchdowns (three passing, one rushing).
Former Giants lineman Justin Pugh looks at Odell Beckham Jr. on watching Malik Nabors play: “It's exactly the same for me.”
Barkley has revitalized a previously stagnant offense to lead the league in rushes (351), rushing touchdowns (4) – the longest of which came on a 65-yard touchdown run last Sunday against the New Orleans Saints – and is now leading the league in receiving yards per game (117.0).
Giants fans have seen him be the linchpin of the offense, even if this is the best offensive line he's led in the last seven years, which is why Pugh pointed out something John Mara said on HBO's “Hard Knocks” this offseason.
“What happened hurt because Saquon Barkley is more than just a running back,” said Pugh, who played 12 games for the Giants last season and remains in game shape for his next opportunity. “As John Mara said in 'Hard Knocks,' he's the face of the franchise. He's our identity.”
“Hard Knocks” also revealed what Giants general manager Joe Sean was thinking about Barkley: Did he want to pay top dollar for an elite running back, or use the cap space to fill other glaring holes on the roster?
He chose the latter, and Pugh doesn't blame him.
“He owns the personnel and dictates what he believes is right in building the team, and that's who Joe Sean is. If he was wrong, he'd be out of a job. And if Saquon was wrong and thought he could go to the market and get more and he didn't, he would have come back to the Giants for less and still be here,” Pugh explained. “At the end of the day, it's a business. Money speaks. The Giants thought they could get away with playing hardball, but they couldn't. Saquon went to Philadelphia.”
Plus, while Giants fans didn't want to consider the possibility at the time, it always made sense for Barkley to consider the Eagles: Not only are they a team that cares about winning, but he grew up in Whitehall, Pennsylvania, played at Penn State, and still has a lot of friends and family in the state.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (No. 26) runs during the first half of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Neo Quimica Arena. (Kirby Lee Images)
When that money lined up with other personal desires, it became a natural fit for Barclay to fly up I-95 to Philadelphia.
“I understand the hate over him going to the Eagles and it's heartbreaking,” Pugh said. “Saquon will remain with the New York Giants, but then it's like, 'OK, let's take off my fan hat and put my general manager hat on.' If I'm Joe Sean and I'm in the position I'm in right now, there are too many holes on this team going into the offseason and he's decided he wants to use his resources elsewhere.”
Sean did just that, acquiring Brian Barnes from the Carolina Panthers and having him start the season with mediocre performances over the next two weeks before finally breaking out with a Week 3 win.
Coach Shawn quickly found a replacement for Barkley in the backfield, signing Devin “Motor” Singletary, who will wear the same number as his predecessor, 26. In three games, Singletary has averaged 4.7 yards per catch, totaled 197 yards and two touchdowns on 42 attempts.
“We decided to give the ball to a $5 million running back, throw a pass to the No. 6 receiver and put the ball in Daniel Jones' hands. That's our identity now. We're going to do everything we've always done with play-action passing.”
“I think both sides won. Saquon got his money and the Giants are playing how they want to. They're not where they want to be yet. They're going to add talent in the draft and free agency next year and get even better.”
Though Barkley's contract was signed in March, it's still fresh in the mind, and some fans have been perplexed by Barkley's praise of rising star Malik Neighbors in interviews (not his fault, since he's the one being asked) and on social media.
Barkley will likely be in an Eagles jersey for at least the next three years, and he'll likely continue to perform like this for as long as he's healthy and Philadelphia is a playoff contender.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (No. 26) runs during the first half of a game against the Green Bay Packers at Neo Quimica Arena. (Kirby Lee Images)
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The only solution is for the Giants to continue moving in a positive direction and be able to stop Barkley being handed the ball in their two meetings with the Eagles this year.
Barkley will return to MetLife Stadium on Oct. 20.
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