Eagles signing Saquon Barkley wouldn't have happened if key character had his way

If the Philadelphia Eagles are to get to where they want to go during the 2024 NFL season, they'll need their offense to bounce back from the troubles it went through in 2023 under the coordination of Brian Johnson.

That's why the team brought in a new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore and also why they invested in the team's identity by signing Saquon Barkley to a deal worth $37.75 million and $26 million guaranteed.

It's the latter move that almost didn't happen, however, as New York Giants insider Ryan Dunleavy recently laid out on a social media post, explaining that Barkley's camp relayed to the Giants the number that would keep the star running back in the Big Apple.

"(Giants owner) John Mara wanted to pay it, especially when he heard it was the Eagles," Dunleavy reported. "(Giants GM Joe Schoen) did not think it was the right use of resources."

First of all, flowers to Mara for not forcing his GM to fulfill his wishes, a disease that many NFL teams suffer from. If he had it his way, the Eagles would've not landed Barkley ahead of the 2024 NFL season.

Of course, it takes courage to take the route that Schoen did. The Giants GM is sticking his neck out there by allowing a franchise star considered one of the best by the NFL world to not only to walk, but to sign with a team you'll have to defeat twice.

And if we're being honest, the Eagles will likely be favored against the Giants the two times they face each other during the upcoming season. Divisional games are tough and all but Philly should be a much better team than their rival as they navigate a complicated quarterback situation with Drew Lock and Daniel Jones behind one of the worst offensive lines in football.

What is for certain is that Barkley will have a special attitude when it's Giants week as he faces the team that turned its back on him. It's a business - and it could've been the right call for a rebuilding team like New York - but these athletes are masters at taking the smallest of slights into big-time motivators on gameday.

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