why did saquon barkley leave the giants

Saquon Barkley left the New York Giants primarily due to two reasons: injuries and money. The Giants' poor offensive line led to significant injuries for Barkley, including a torn ACL and multiple ankle issues, limiting his effectiveness on the field. Additionally, the Giants did not offer Barkley a long-term contract that matched his perceived value. They franchise-tagged him in 2022 and 2023 but ultimately chose not to tag him in 2024, allowing him to enter free agency. Financially, the Giants were constrained by their commitment to quarterback Daniel Jones, who was paid $40 million per year. Giants GM Joe Schoen explained that they could not justify paying $12 million annually to a running back when they had large financial obligations elsewhere, particularly on their offensive line and quarterback. Barkley felt disrespected by the Giants' valuation of him and subsequently signed a three- year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he flourished with over 2,000 rushing yards in the 2024 season. Barkley has expressed regret about how he handled his departure but also gratitude toward Giants fans. The Giants' decision reflected a modern NFL trend of reluctant investment in running backs due to injury risk and perceived replaceability. The Eagles' acquisition of Barkley turned out to be highly successful, while the Giants moved on with other roster priorities.