Saquon Barkley’s decision to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t sit well with some New York Giants fans, including former running back Tiki Barber.
Amid a somewhat tumultuous exit after six years with the franchise, Barkley took a moment to bid farewell to the Giants on Thursday, posting a message on social media in order to clear the air and thank the organization and its fans.
In his message, Barkley thanked the fan base for its support since he was selected as the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft. He concluded his statement by saying he hopes the fans can respect his decision to make the move to Philadelphia.
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) March 15, 2024
After failing to reach an agreement on a new contract to remain in New York, Barkley joined the rival Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal, a move which some Giants fans considered a betrayal.
During his introductory press conference on Thursday–prior to sharing his statement on social media–Barkley admitted that he felt he could’ve handled his exit better.
“I don’t think I really handled it the right way on social media. I think I could have gave a proper goodbye,” he said, via USA Today. “Like I said, once I announced, it kind of got hectic. But yeah, I’m forever grateful for the Giants fans. So grateful for them. But unfortunately, the NFL is a business. And I was able to get to a place that I know I can compete, I can win. I can stay close to home.”
He gave it another go at a proper farewell later Thursday evening, sharing the message with his supporters as he embarks on the next chapter of his career.
