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Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley shared a close bond during their time with the Giants, and it seems that hasn’t changed despite the two no longer being teammates.
Jones was on hand on Sunday when Barkley rushed for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the Eagles’ 28-22 NFC divisional round win over the Rams. He had scoring runs of 62 and 78 yards — the latter of which proved to be the winning score.
The former Giants starting quarterback was a guest in Barkley’s box at Lincoln Financial Field, along with ex-Giants receiver Sterling Shepard, according to ESPN.
The pair were “among those in his box cheering on their close friend,” per the report.
Barkley and Jones spent five seasons as teammates in New York and both had – what was at the time – career years for both players in 2022.
The running back had 1,312 rushing yards – a career-best – and had 10 rushing touchdowns, while Jones put up a career-high 67.2 percent completion rate and a career-best 3,205 passing yards.
The two didn’t end up staying with the Giants, with Barkley leaving via free agency last offseason and Jones ended up being released in the middle of this season in the second year of his four-year, $160 million contract extension he signed in 2023.
But Barkley had plenty of kind words to say after Jones and the Giants went their separate ways in November.
“I’ve got nothing but great things to say about him. You’re not going to find anybody who’s really got a lot of negative things to say about him,” Barkley said. “But it’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up next, they’re gonna get a guy who will come in and work. [Coming from the Giants], I’m doing well [with the Eagles]. Hopefully, he can find the same kind of fresh start and success.”
Barkley has the chance to secure his first Super Bowl appearance next weekend when the Eagles host the Commanders in the NFC championship game.
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