John Mara spoke with reporters on Monday, including Connor Hughes of SNY, and made it clear that he wasn’t happy when he heard Saquon Barkley, the face of his franchise in many ways, had signed with the hated Eagles in free agency.
Mara said he “hated” to see his longtime running back sign with Philadelphia after making it clear to general manager Joe Schoen that he “wouldn’t be thrilled” to see Barkley join a division rival.
The Giants owner said he told Barkley via text after the news broke that it made him “sick” to see him go, especially to a fierce rival, but was otherwise complimentary of Barkley and his time with Big Blue.
New York pivoted by signing Devin Singletary to replace Barkley, then went out and got another dynamic pass rusher in Brian Burns via trade with the Panthers. Mara believes in Schoen and company and the moves they’ve made, and told reporters that if Schoen, along with Brian Daboll, believes that taking a quarterback with their sixth overall pick, or even trading up to get one, is the move they think is best for the future of the franchise, he would give them the green light.
