Saquon Barkley on Giants’ release of Daniel Jones: ‘It’s a shame to see how it all went down’

On By Littum

Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones were teammates on the New York Giants for five seasons and became good friends during that time. At the time both were drafted, they appeared to be core players around which the team would build.

However, circumstances did not follow that path. Barkley left the Giants as a free agent and signed with the NFC East rival Philadelphia Eagles last spring. In his first season with Philadelphia, he rushed for 1,137 yards and eight touchdowns in 10 games, en route to posting his best NFL season.

Now, Jones’ career with the Giants is over after he was released on Friday. The quarterback was benched in favor of Tommy DeVito and likely won’t play in the team’s remaining seven games. Under that scenario, Jones asked to be let go.

It’s hardly the ending Giants fans envisioned for Jones after he was the team’s first-round pick (No. 6 overall) in 2019 NFL Draft. But if anyone wanted to know how it feels to move on from the Giants after being a top draft pick (no. 2 in total in 2018), it’s Barkley.

Given their similar history with the Giants and being teammates for five seasons, it was natural to ask Barkley his thoughts on Jones being released. Reporters who cover the Eagles did just that on Friday.

“I’ve been in contact with him. Our friendship has been close throughout the process of being here,” Barkley replied. “It’s a shame to see how it all went down for him over there. I have nothing but good things to say about him. You’re not going to find anyone who can say negative things about him.

“It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up next, they’ll get a guy to come in and work,” he added. “It didn’t work out for me over there and I feel good over here. Hopefully he can find the same fresh start and success.”

Jones is unlikely to get the fresh start in a reunion with Barkley in Philadelphia. But after he cleared waivers, many teams are interested in Jones as a bridge for a team with a young quarterback or looking to draft one, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jori Epstein.