Saquon Barkley’s Playful Jab at the Giants Ahead of Season Finale
As the Philadelphia Eagles gear up for their final game of the season against the New York Giants, running back Saquon Barkley appears to be playfully poking fun at his former team through a new advertisement.
Barkley, who spent six seasons with the Giants before making a move to Philadelphia in the offseason, is featured in a commercial for Unisom, a popular sleep aid. The ad includes an enigmatic message that seems aimed at Giants owner John Mara, who previously remarked that he would “struggle to sleep if Saquon ends up in Philadelphia.”
A Lullaby for Insomniac Fans
In this intriguing advertisement, Barkley quips: “I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby. Rockabye baby, awake in your bed as thoughts of 2,000 swirl in your head. It’s tough losing sleep over football – but not for me! Good night to all.” This playful tone underscores his impressive performance this season.
Barkley’s statistics have been nothing short of remarkable since joining the Eagles. He has consistently delivered standout performances on the field and is now on track to make history.
The Context Behind Mara’s Comments
The backdrop to this playful exchange can be traced back to HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” where Mara made his infamous comment during discussions with general manager Joe Schoen about retaining Barkley—who was drafted second overall by former GM Dave Gettleman in 2018 but was not prioritized by Schoen.
Historic Rushing Milestone Within Reach
As Week 18 approaches and with playoffs looming ahead, Barkley has decided to rest rather than risk injury; he currently stands just 101 yards shy of breaking the NFL single-season rushing record. However, he did surpass 2,000 rushing yards after an impressive outing where he rushed for 167 yards last Sunday—making him only the ninth player ever to achieve such a feat.
While there is certainly part of him that yearns for that record-breaking moment—he acknowledges it could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—Barkley remains focused on broader team goals rather than individual accolades.
“I was asked if I wanted to play and go after it,” said Barkley regarding his decision-making process leading into Week 18. “Initially I didn’t think much about it during our last game; however upon reflection overnight—I realized it’s an opportunity that could cement my name in football history.”
Prioritizing Team Over Personal Glory
Despite being tantalizingly close to setting records and achieving personal milestones like becoming NFL’s rushing king this season with over 2,005 yards under his belt already—Barkley’s commitment lies firmly with his team’s success above all else.
“I’m down for whatever helps us win,” he stated candidly while emphasizing how crucial it is not putting himself or teammates at risk unnecessarily as they prepare for postseason action.
In conclusion: while Saquon Barkley’s lighthearted jabs may entertain fans and fuel rivalries between teams—the focus remains steadfastly on teamwork as they aim high heading into playoff territory.
