Well, isn’t this poetic? The New York Giants let Saquon Barkley walk, and now he’s strutting around with a Super Bowl ring. The same guy they deemed expendable just led the Eagles to the promised land. And if that wasn’t enough salt in the wound, Barkley had something to say about it—one that wasn’t just about football but about faith.

Now, let’s rewind a bit. Remember when Giants owner John Mara said he’d have a tough time sleeping if Barkley went to Philly? Well, hope he stocked up on melatonin. The Big Blue prioritized heavily on Daniel Jones over their best player, threw a bag at him, and then watched as Barkley torched the league in midnight green. Oh, and Jones? Well, let’s just not talk about it and call it what it is: a fumble.

As for Saquon, he etched his name into the history books by running for over 2,000 yards, breaking playoff records, and becoming the Birds’ offensive heartbeat. And while he didn’t have a monster Super Bowl performance, let’s be real—Philly couldn’t get there without him. Meanwhile, the Giants were stuck in the NFL purgatory, finishing 3-14. Giants fans? They got to watch their former hero tear it up for a division rival. Brutal.

Fast forward to now, a month after lifting the Lombardy trophy, Barkley’s rubbing salt in the NYG’s wounds as he posted his ACL tear pic on his IG story with this caption: “The story continues… GOD is the greatest.” A reminder that his journey—ACL tears, contract snubs, career doubts—was never just about football. He’s the kind of player you root for, even if he’s torching your team.

That’s why this one stings extra for the Big Blue. He wanted to stay. They let him go. And now, he’s shining on a bigger stage.

What’s worse? Barkley was willing to sign for a reasonable price. He even admitted that if the Giants had just offered a little more respect (and a little more cash), he’d still be in blue. Instead, they lowballed him, told him to test free agency, and—shockingly—Philly swooped in. Now, he’s a champion, and the Giants are stuck in a rebuild. Choices were made.

But Mara and Co. bet on the wrong guy, and now they have to live with it. And even the up-and-coming college stars know what a guy Barkley is.

Saquon Barkley is collecting his flowers from everywhere (& everyone)

2024 was the year for the running back. No debate. Saquon Barkley ran through defenses like they owed him money, racking up over 2,000 yards—just the ninth RB in NFL history to do it. Meanwhile, Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty was out there rewriting record books, falling just 28 yards short of Barry Sanders’ all-time single-season mark. Different levels, same energy. And now, with Barkley fresh off a Super Bowl win and Jeanty gearing up for the draft, their stories are crossing paths in a way that feels almost scripted.

Jeanty didn’t just watch Barkley dominate—he studied him. “I’ve been watching [Saquon Barkley] since he was at Penn State. I’ve always thought he was one of the best running backs in the league,” Jeanty said at the NFL Combine. That’s respect, straight from one rising star to an established one.

And honestly, the similarities are hard to ignore: Both are elusive. Both can make a grown man miss in the open field like they’re playing backyard football. Both know what it’s like to carry an offense on their backs. Meanwhile, statistically? It’s freakish.

Barkley, the NFL’s 2024 Offensive Player of the Year, forced 62 missed tackles and had seven touchdowns of 50+ yards. Jeanty? He set the NCAA record for forced missed tackles (151) and had multiple games averaging 10+ yards per carry. One did it on Sundays, the other on Saturdays. Now, Jeanty is about to make the leap, hoping to bring that same nightmare fuel to an NFL defense near you.

Will he go as high as Barkley did back in 2018 (No. 2 overall)? Probably not. But whatever team snags him won’t care about draft slots if he turns into a game-changer. The kid has that “make-you-hold-your-breath” factor, and Barkley is proof that a special RB can still flip the script in today’s league. Some front office is about to find out real quick.

For now, Barkley is soaking in his moment while Jeanty waits for his turn. But make no mistake—this isn’t just some passing of the torch. It’s a reminder that elite running backs still matter, and in 2024, they made sure the world didn’t forget.