There are always mistakes made in player personnel evaluation around the NFL. One of the biggest in recent league history didn't go unnoticed by Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler.
This, of course, centers on the situation with Saquon Barkley.
The New York Giants put their incompetence on full display in front of the HBO Offseason Hard Knocks cameras. Joe Schoen handled Barkley's contract situation nonchalantly. The general manager didn't seem too bothered about losing the dual-threat running back. That was not an opinion shared by team owner John Mara, who said he would have a hard time sleeping at night if the former first-round pick went to the Philadelphia Eagles.
That's exactly what happened.
Barkley went to the Eagles and immediately went about making his old team pay for their lack of confidence. As the Giants struggled, releasing underperforming quarterback Daniel Jones and stumbling their way to the finish line once again, their old focal point thrived. He went on a tear, found himself in NFL MVP consideration, and is now gearing up for the Super Bowl.
This was a generational contract botch from the Giants. Schoen somehow kept his job, but the margin for error is long gone. Everything worked out much better for Barkley, who's excelled with a more productive supporting cast and is only going to get better from here.
Austin Ekeler mocks Commanders' division rival for Saquon Barkley contract botch
Ekeler mocked the Giants for their handling of Barkley's situation. The Commanders' veteran was thrilled to see running backs taking center stage around the league after the position became devalued in recent years. He also made his feelings known about how Washington's division adversary completely fumbled the obvious home run in front of them.
It's really cool to see, especially the guys that were getting shuffled around, and 'oh I don't know if these guys can still play or if they'll make an impact.’ Like the Giants, what a joke letting that guy go. Prime Saquon, 'I don't know who's gonna pay this guy $12 million dollars.' Well, he's gonna carry your offense. So, everybody. Don't get me started there.Austin Ekeler via SI
Placing their faith in Jones and letting Barkley walk was head-scratching at the time and even more so now. Mara and Schoen should be watching the Super Bowl with heads in their hands, wondering how they got this so wrong. And now, it's a long road back.
That won't matter to the Commanders. They swept the Giants and have a bright future with the quarterback Schoen's son wanted to trade up and acquire. Watching a long-time rival suffer is just the icing on the cake.
The Giants and their beleaguered general manager deserve every piece of criticism they've received or will receive if the Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs. Ekeler isn't alone in his feelings on the matter. It's the consensus agreement across the NFL.
Ekeler wasn't the first to magnify this issue and he won't be the last. Barkley's made them pay in the best way imaginable. The Penn State product let his play do the talking. There is no better way to prove people wrong.
If he stars in the Super Bowl and gets a ring he was never going to attain in New York, revenge will be even sweeter.
