HBO’s “Hard Knocks” has supplied a special have a look at an NFL franchise this yr, with the New York Giants’ offseason roster constructing on full show with behind-the-scenes entry.
One of the issues NFL followers have been hoping to see is what went down with GM Joe Schoen and operating again Saquon Barkley, who finally selected the NFC East-rival Philadelphia Eagles in free company as an alternative of returning to New York.
Episode 2 of the sequence introduced that second to life, as Schoen was heard calling Barkley and his agent, Ed Berry, in regards to the group’s choice to permit him to check the free agent market.
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However, Schoen hoped Barkley would give him his phrase that he would make the Giants the final name in free company.
“Can you give me your phrase on that, otherwise you not going to provide us an opportunity?” Schoen was heard asking Barkley over the telephone after talking with Berry first.
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While there seemed to be some stress in the course of the nice a part of the decision, it was palpable when Barkley responded.
“What do you imply, like circling again?” he replied to Schoen, who merely stated, “Yeah.”
“I imply, I already instructed you the place I need to be, so…,” Barkley stated.
Barkley stated on quite a few events previous to the decision that he wished to be a Giant for all times. Being a franchise legend was among the many pitch to Barkley, as Schoen was seen talking along with his assistant GM Brandon Brown in the course of the episode as effectively.
General supervisor Joe Schoen of the New York Giants speaks to the media in the course of the NFL Combine on the Indiana Convention Center on Feb. 27, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
“Hey, right here is our value. You need your identify up right here endlessly? Two extra years you are within the Ring of Honor. Or you need 1,000,000 {dollars} extra to go some place else?” Schoen stated.
Before asking for Barkley’s phrase, Schoen made it clear to Barkley that the Giants would enable him to check the market this yr as an alternative of slapping him with the franchise tag – a transfer that led to fairly the eventful 2023 offseason earlier than he finally returned on an incentive-laden, one-year deal final season.
“The proper factor to do is allow you to take a look at the market to see what your worth is,” Schoen stated. “I do not need to do the franchise [tag] factor or all that stuff once more. I do not need to undergo that. We’ve each been by that. If you actually need to be a Giant for all times and also you’re fascinated about coming again, see what your market is and have [agent] Ed [Berry] come again to us and we’ll see if we are able to come to an settlement.”
HBO’s “Hard Knocks” confirmed New York Giants GM Joe Schoen’s dialog with Saquon Barkley, proper, in free company. (Getty Images)
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In the top, Barkley signed a three-year, $37.5 million take care of $26 million assured to go south to Philadelphia, the place he not solely joins a division rival, however a group that appears certain for the playoffs but once more, whereas the Giants nonetheless have many inquiries to be answered in 2024.
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