Giants legend blasts ex-Penn State football star Saquon Barkley amid NFL free agency rumors

Former Penn State football star Saquon Barkley appears set to become one of the hottest names in this offseason’s NFL free agency. But not everyone is thrilled about Barkley’s opportunity to hit the open market. This week, New York Giants legend Tiki Barber had some strong words for the ex-Nittany Lion amid rumors that he may be interested in joining the Philadelphia Eagles.

Tiki Barber: Saquon Barkley signing with Philadelphia Eagles would be “insulting”

Saquon Barkley may have been born in the Bronx, but Pennsylvania is where he made a name for himself. After becoming a star at Whitehall High School, Barkley rushed for nearly 4,000 yards and created a highlight reel’s worth of show-stopping plays in three seasons with Penn State football. 

Selected by the New York Giants with the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Saquon Barkley quickly became one of the NFL’s superstars. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, the former Nittany Lion has eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark three times in his career. But Barkley’s five years in New York have been hampered by injury. The Giants have struggled during that time, only making the postseason once. 

After receiving a fifth-year option in 2022 and a franchise tag in 2023, it appears that Barkley will finally test the open waters of NFL free agency this offseason. But with free agency set to begin March 13, not everyone is happy with the rumored landing spots for Barkley. Ex-New York Giants running back Tiki Barber issued a harsh warning for the former Penn State football star this week as speculation grows that he may sign with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“The fact that Saquon would even contemplate going to play for that team in Philadelphia is insulting to his Giant history and legacy,” Barber said on WFAN Sports Radio about the rumors that Barkley may sign with the Giants’ rival. “Go to Baltimore; go to Houston; go to the LA Chargers. Do not go to the Philadelphia Eagles.”

.@TikiBarber has a warning for Saquon Barkley after rumors swirl of interest in playing for the Philadelphia Eagles pic.twitter.com/ZJVs7XIJNF

— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 7, 2024

“We want to still respect and love him,” Tiki Barber continued. “If he goes to Houston and he’s down there with CJ Stroud, and they do some great stuff and, hell, even wins a championship, we’ll feel happy for him…[If Barkley goes to Philadelphia] we’ll respect you, but we’ll hate you. And that’s not a good thing.”

Where are the likely landing spots for the former Penn State footballl star?

A Keystone State homecoming for Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia is not the only potential landing spot for the former Nittany Lion. Wherever he ends up, it seems likely that Barkley may have some connections to his time with Penn State football. 

The other hot name expected to be in the mix for Barkley is the Houston Texans. It’s already been reported that Barkley has been in contact with former Ohio State quarterback CJ Stroud about teaming up. There, he would also join former Nittany Lions Adrian Amos and Juice Scruggs.

Ex-Michigan and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is also thought to be interested in signing Barkley. Austin Johnson was the only Penn State letterman on the Chargers roster in 2023. 

Finally, the Dallas Cowboys are expected to be interested in Saquon Barkley, as well. Of course, Barkley would be teaming up in Dallas with former Penn State football and fellow NFL superstar Micah Parsons. The duo didn’t overlap each other while in Happy Valley, but a joining of forces in the Lone Star State could make the Nittany Lions one of the most formidable tandems in the NFL.

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