Giants fans might want to leave their umbrellas at home when hitting the Jersey Shore this summer, as they’re already facing plenty of shade from South Philadelphia. Saquon Barkley, the former face of the franchise, couldn’t help but praise the Eagles’ offensive talent during OTAs after spending six years in New York. “The biggest thing that struck me is the first 7-on-7 huddle, you see A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Jalen Hurts,” Barkley noted in late May. “That’s not a bad group to be out there with, and that’s not even including offensive linemen.” Adding fuel to the fire, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni admitted to enjoying some friendly trash talk with Giants fans, quipping, “We got your best player.” “Seeing Saquon in green is really nice,” Sirianni remarked at Philly’s mandatory minicamp. “Sometimes you spot Giants fans around here, given our proximity. They’ll give me a good, ‘Hey, go Giants.’ And usually, I let it slide. But if they catch me at the right moment, I’ll reply, ‘You know, we’ve got your best player.'”
The Eagles’ early engagement in this rivalry might seem premature, but their confidence in facing off against Brian Daboll’s Giants is evident, especially with their impressive 4-1 record in the past two years, outscoring them 151-97. However, Sirianni faces challenges this season, having lost key players like center Jason Kelce and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, who were linchpins in Philly’s lineup. Kelce, in particular, posed a challenge for Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, and his absence may now provide an opportunity for Lawrence to make an impact in this rivalry. Yet, until the Giants demonstrate they can compete on equal footing, the rivalry remains one-sided, despite their Week 18 victory over the Eagles last season. This context allows Sirianni to make jabs that suggest the Eagles don’t view the Giants as formidable opponents, even if his remarks sometimes seem unexpected.
“Nick Sirianni’s remarks always leave us guessing,” ESPN host Hannah Storm remarked on “NFL Live” Tuesday after airing the video. Clearly, the league is hoping for a more competitive showing from the Giants in this divisional matchup. The NFL has scheduled Barkley’s Week 7 return with the Eagles to MetLife Stadium on Oct. 20 as a standard 1 o’clock Sunday kickoff, with the option to flex it to Sunday Night Football. However, with Aaron Rodgers’ Jets and Mike Tomlin’s Pittsburgh Steelers currently occupying that prime time slot, it’s likely that game will remain unchanged if Rodgers is healthy.
Sirianni and the Eagles are aiming to bounce back from a disappointing end to the 2023 season, where they lost six of their last seven games, displaying a lackluster performance on both offense and defense. Similar to Daboll, Sirianni faces significant pressure to turn things around this fall, as both coaches are rumored to be on Bill Belichick’s radar for 2025. The Eagles took considerable time and effort to confirm Sirianni’s return as their head coach this year, but their hiring of coordinators Vic Fangio and Kellen Moore suggests they’re focused on resolving their issues and maximizing their talented roster for success. Additionally, their offensive line coach, Jeff Stoutland, is seen as a valuable asset in their arsenal.
Maintaining a strong offensive line post-Kelce is crucial for the Eagles’ future success. “It’s been different. It’s kind of weird not having the GOAT there,” remarked Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata on Wednesday. “[But] I think we’re doing a good job of maintaining the standard.”
In New York, changes are afoot as well, with Daboll expected to take over play-calling duties while OC Mike Kafka takes a step back. Additionally, new defensive coordinator Shane Bowen is relatively untested, having landed the job after an extensive search that saw several initial candidates opt for other opportunities.
Regardless of recent head-to-head matchups and early-season performances, Barkley’s return to the Meadowlands in Week 7 will undoubtedly be a significant event. While he may not publicly express it, there will likely be a revenge element from Barkley’s perspective, and the Eagles will aim to support him. On the other hand, many Giants fans now view Barkley as the ultimate villain and hope for his downfall.
GM Joe Schoen and Daboll are keen on proving their belief that a top wide receiver can open up an offense in ways that a running back cannot. Adding Malik Nabers to an offense already featuring Barkley could have been the optimal strategy for the Giants to elevate their game. With both Barkley and Nabers as threats, opposing defenses would face a dilemma in defending against them. However, without Barkley, whom defenses specifically game plan for, the Giants lack that secondary weapon to divert attention away from their No. 6 overall pick. Barkley’s absence stems from contentious contract negotiations in 2023, leading him to play on a one-year deal before ultimately signing with the Eagles, while the Giants did not make a counteroffer. As of now, it’s Sirianni who has the upper hand, at least in June. It’s now incumbent upon the Giants to turn the tables and wipe the smile off his face.