Saquon Barkley asked Giants' John Mara to trade him in 2023, documentary reveals
Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Giants during the third quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium on Oct. 20, 2024. Credit: Jim McIsaac
Saquon Barkley’s new documentary “Saquon” reveals the ex-Giants running back asked the team for a trade in the summer of 2023.
Per the documentary, which will be released Thursday on Prime Video ahead of the Giants facing the Eagles, Barkley made the request during a phone call with president/CEO John Mara in July 2023.
It was soon after the deadline passed for him to sign a long-term deal. Mara declined the trade request.
“I’m not going to do that,” Mara told Barkley in the film. “That makes no sense for us. To be honest with you, it’s not going to be in your long-term best interest to do that. There’s no way that I would allow that at this point. You are too valuable to this franchise.”
The following year, Mara said he was “sick” to see Barkley leave to sign with the Eagles in March 2024 for a three-year contract.
Barkley and the Giants engaged in contract negotiations for over two seasons, with the running back seeking a long-term deal. The Giants used the franchise tag on him in March 2023, and per the documentary, Barkley said he was offered a contract worth $11.5 million per year with $23 million guaranteed.
When he signed with the Eagles, the contract was worth $37.75 million, including $26 million guaranteed. In March, the Eagles rewarded him with a two-year, $41.2 million extension that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
Barkley spent his first six seasons with the Giants after being drafted second overall in 2018. His first season with the Eagles saw him rush for 2,005 yards, win the Super Bowl and be named NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
The documentary was made over a five-year period starting from when Barkley tore his right ACL in 2020. Thursday will be Barkley’s second appearance at MetLife Stadium as a visitor after rushing for 176 yards and a touchdown in his return last season.
Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.
