Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones were teammates on the New York Giants for five seasons and became good friends during that span. At the time they were both selected, they appeared to be core players for the team to be built around.
However, circumstances did not go that way. Barkley left the Giants as a free agent and signed 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, en route to his best season in the NFL.
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. In that scenario, Jones asked to be let go.
It’s not the ending Giants fans envisioned for Jones after he was the team’s first-round pick (No. 6 overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. But if anyone knows what it’s like to leave the Giants after being one of the top draft picks, it’s Barkley (No. 2 overall in 2018).
Considering their similar histories with the Giants and being teammates for five seasons, it was only natural to ask Barkley what he thinks about Jones’ release. Reporters covering the Eagles did just that on Friday.
“I’ve been in contact with him. Our friendship has remained close throughout my time here,” Barkley responded. “It sucks to see how everything went for him there. I have nothing but good things to say about him. You won’t find anyone who can say negative things about him.
“It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever it ends up, they’ll find someone to come and work,” he added. “It didn’t work out for me there and I’m doing well here. Hopefully, he can find the same fresh start and success.”
Jones is unlikely to get a fresh start in a meeting with Barkley in Philadelphia. But after he clears waivers, many teams could be interested in Jones as a bridge to a team with a young quarterback or looking to draft one, according to Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports.