Once again, Hard Knocks is back in New York.
The classic HBO documentary series kicked off its offseason reboot Tuesday night, where it will follow the Giants in the lead-up to the show’s traditional version this fall. That series will feature first-overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
There wasn’t much to say about the first episode, but Giants fans got an up-close look at how the team entered negotiations to land pass rusher Brian Burns and how talks began to part ways with veteran running back Saquon Barkley.
First trade negotiations by Burns
The Giants acquired Burns last offseason in a deal with the Carolina Panthers, something that apparently began back in February at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
General manager Joe Schoen, who was the main character of the episode, began by asking his fellow GMs if anyone had interest in moving up in the draft to get the Giants’ sixth overall pick, though he was half-joking as he did so. Eventually, Panthers GM Dan Morgan stepped up and made an offer for Burns.
“Oh!” Schoen replied.
Though it took a while, Burns signed a five-year, $150 million contract with the Giants in exchange for a second- and fifth-round draft pick, where he will now have a major impact at a position where the franchise clearly needed help. That was one of Schoen’s biggest needs entering the first inning on Tuesday night.
Hey, it never hurts to ask.
What’s up with Saquon Barkley?
While there was plenty of talk Tuesday night (we got an inside look at Schoen’s off-season preparation following the team’s 6-11 finish last year and quarterback Daniel Jones’ recovery from his ACL injury), there were plenty of clues about the team’s decision to move forward without star running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley, after failing to secure a long-term extension from the Giants this offseason. Barkley played last season on the franchise tag, but the two sides were unable to come to an agreement to keep him in New York long-term. Barkley had 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season, his sixth in the league.
The episode ended with discussions within the front office about what direction to take the Giants’ offense, with Schoen seemingly determined to protect Jones above all else and wait for a cheaper running back in the future. However, the manner in which the Barkley era will end in New York left the group at an impasse.
While we know the team ultimately signed Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million contract, the remainder of this summer Hard Knocks season will almost certainly feature Barkley’s departure from the franchise.
