One of the biggest developments in the NFC East this offseason was running back Saquon Barkley’s decision to leave the Giants for the Eagles as a free agent. Barkley’s departure didn’t come out of left field as he and the Giants were not able to work out a long-term deal over successive offseasons, but having him go to Philly has provided some fresh fodder for the longtime rivals.
Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux said on The Rich Eisen Show last week that he isn’t feeling any extra pain about seeing Barkley in Eagles colors. Thibodeaux mentioned that it’s a business, and he reached out to Barkley to congratulate him on getting the contract he desired. He pointed out that in a “not-for-long league” like the NFL, players have to take advantage of opportunities to secure their financial future.
Barkley mentioned that the Giants never offered him a chance to return, although a clip from the upcoming Hard Knocks series about the Giants offseason suggests that might not be entirely true. In any case, Thibodeaux was asked about how not signing Barkley played in the Giants locker room. Thibodeaux acknowledged that there are difficult decisions to make when considering the team’s greater good, and sometimes it may not be in the best interest of the team’s long-term goals to keep a certain player on the roster.
While Thibodeaux doesn’t feel that moment is close for him, he understands that it is a fact of life as a professional athlete. He emphasized the importance of making the most of opportunities and taking control of one’s career in such a competitive and unpredictable league like the NFL.