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 they were both drafted, they seemed like key players the team would build around.
However, circumstances did not follow this path. Barkley left the Giants as a free agent, signing 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 to go with 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 is unlikely to play in the team’s remaining seven games. Under that scenario, Jones asked to be fired.
It’s hardly the ending Giants fans envisioned for Jones after he was the team’s first-round pick (6th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. But if anyone knew what it felt like to move on from the Giants after who was the top draft pick is Barkley (2018 No. 2 overall).
Given their similar history with the Giants and their teammates over five seasons, it was only natural to ask Barkley his thoughts on firing Jones. Reporters covering the Eagles did just that on Friday.
“I’ve been in contact with him. Our friendship has remained close throughout my stay,” Barkley replied. “It’s a shame to see things go wrong for him there. I have nothing but great things to say about him. You won’t find anyone who has negative things to say about him.”
“It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up next, they get a guy to come in and work,” he added. “It didn’t work out for me there and I’m doing well here. Hopefully he’ll find the same fresh start and success.”
Jones is unlikely to start again against Barkley in Philadelphia. But with waivers cleared, many teams could be interested in Jones as a bridge for a team with a young quarterback, or could draft one, according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.