Ex-Giant Barkley rooting for ‘new start, success’ for Jones

Saquon Barkley said Friday that he hoped Daniel Jones could follow a similar path to his own — success in the NFL after the New York Giants.

Jones, who was benched earlier this week in favor of Tommy DeVito, asked for his release Friday morning from the Giants, who agreed to grant it in a decision both sides said “would be best for him and for the team. “

Like Jones, Barkley also left the Giants, his exit coming via free agency during the offseason. He landed with the rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract and has seemingly earned every penny, ranking first in the NFC in rushing yards with 1,137 for a Philadelphia team that is 8-2 and in first place in the NFC East – – far better than the cellar-dwelling Giants (2-8).

The unique situation of two high draft picks – Barkley went No. 2 to the Giants in 2018 and Jones no. 6 a year later – no longer being on the team was not lost on Barkley.

“I’ve been in contact with him. Our friendship has stayed close throughout the process of me being here,” Barkley said Friday. “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 won’t really find anyone who can say negative things about him.

“It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up next, they get a guy that comes in and works. It didn’t work out for me over there, and I’m fine over here. Hopefully he can find that same fresh start and success. “

One team that won’t be in the mix for Jones is the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite losing Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury earlier this month, Executive Vice President Stephen Jones has narrated “The Blitz with Jason & Joe” that the Cowboys are happy with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance in the short term.

Jones will go through waivers, though it’s unlikely a team will pick up the remainder of the four-year, $160 million contract he signed in March 2023. That would cost a demanding team close to $12 million for the rest of the season. He will likely be signed after clearing waivers.