The player who best represented the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2025 season, which ended with a Super Bowl win over the Kansas City Chiefs, was Saquon Barkley. In a phenomenal year with over 2,000 rushing yards, the running back proved to be the missing piece that helped Philadelphia capture the title.
But for Barkley to land in Philly, the New York Giants first had to let him test the market, a decision that drew heavy criticism toward GM Joe Schoen. Barkley has spoken openly about the situation and where his relationship with the Giants’ GM stands today.
Is There Any Bad Blood Between Saquon Barkley and Giants GM Joe Schoen?
Being traded, released, or not re-signed by an NFL team can become extra motivation for a player to prove their former team wrong.
In Barkley’s case, that dynamic was fully displayed and even documented in “Hard Knocks,” when the Giants allowed him to test free agency. That decision, made by Schoen, ultimately led Barkley to sign with the division-rival and deliver the most dominant season of his career.
Speaking on “Pardon My Take,” Barkley opened up about his relationship with Schoen and how he views the decision that sent him from a dysfunctional franchise to a Super Bowl champion.
“It’s funny because you would think from social media like there’s this big beef with me, Joe Schoen, and like the Giants, and in reality, I still talk to them here and there,” Barkley said.
“I got to see all of them before the game last year at the end of season. I didn’t play, but I got to see them, and they were super happy for me for rushing for 2,000 yards.”
In his only appearance against the Giants last season, Barkley torched his former team for 176 rushing yards and a touchdown in a 28-3 blowout win in New York. It marked a turning point in his career.
He also addressed the viral clip from “Hard Knocks” in which Schoen informs Barkley he’ll be allowed to test the market. Barkley said he respected the decision, even if the broadcast amplified the public scrutiny around it.
“It’s like yes, we had a negotiation process the year before, but that year they gave me the opportunity to hit the open market, which was the right thing to do by the Giants… They didn’t have to do that,” Barkley said. “Obviously, they felt like I wasn’t worth what they thought that number was, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I mean, I already told you where I want to be, so…”
Saquon Barkley kept it as real as real gets with Joe Schoen and the Giants
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) July 10, 2024
Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles and proceeded to rush for 2,005 yards, score 15 total touchdowns, win Offensive Player of the Year, and finish third in MVP voting. His performance helped the Eagles win their second Super Bowl in franchise history.
But from the Giants’ perspective, the decision was based on logic. Barkley hadn’t eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards the previous season, although he did surpass that mark in total scrimmage yards, and he had dealt with multiple injuries over his six years in New York.
But after 2025, it is hard to argue against the outcome for Barkley or the Eagles.
Barkley is currently the highest-paid running back in the NFL, averaging $20.6 million per season, and even after just one year, he has already become an iconic figure in Eagles history.
