In the NFC East, a major offseason development was the departure of running back Saquon Barkley from the Giants to the Eagles as a free agent. While Barkley’s move was not unexpected as contract negotiations with the Giants had stalled in previous offseasons, his decision to join their division rival added fuel to the longtime rivalry between the teams.
Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux shared on The Rich Eisen Show that he doesn’t harbor any ill feelings towards Barkley for leaving. Thibodeaux emphasized that in the NFL, players need to maximize their earning potential and there is no shame in leaving if it means getting what you want. He expressed happiness for Barkley in securing the contract he desired.
Barkley revealed that despite a glimpse from an upcoming Hard Knocks series suggesting otherwise, he was not offered an opportunity to return by the Giants. When asked about how this would impact him in the Giants locker room, Thibodeaux recognized that teams face difficult decisions when considering what is best for them as a whole. He also understood that there may come a time when it’s no longer beneficial for a player to remain on the roster. Although he feels confident about his place on the team at present, Thibodeaux is aware of how transient professional sports can be and how important it is to take advantage of opportunities as they arise.
