The Eagles are doing something that most Philadelphians would never consider doing to a New York sports fan: practicing mercy by resting Saquon Barkley against his former team, the Giants, in Sunday’s regular-season finale at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.
That still did not mean that Barkley could not get one final jab in at his old team, who allowed him to walk in free agency to a bitter division rival.
In an advertisement for Unisom sleep medication, Barkley pokes fun at comments made by Giants co-owner John Mara during the offseason, which HBO Hard Knocks captured. In a meeting with team brass, including general manager Joe Schoen, Mara admitted that he would “have a tough time sleeping” if Barkley went to Philadelphia.
No Way: #Eagles RB Saquon Barkley TROLLS #Giants GM Joe Schoen in a new sponsorship commercial.
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 2, 2025
“I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby,” Barkley, seen in a bed and with a visor above his eyes, says in the commercial. “Rock-a-bye baby, awake in your bed as the thought of 2,000 swirls in your head. I’m sure it’s tough to lose sleep over football, but not for me, though. Goodnight to all.”
Upon Mara’s comments back in March, Schoen practically laughed his boss’s unease off, maintaining the notion that he was not worth an exorbitant price tag. His undervaluing of the superstar running back has quickly become one of his largest follies, which could be paired with ex-quarterback Daniel Jones’ four-year, $160 million deal that did not even last until his opt-out this offseason.
Barkley signed with the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal and, in his first season in Philadelphia, became just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards, doing so in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys. He also became the first player ever to hit the milestone with his second NFL team.
While his Eagles are 13-3 and have wrapped up the NFC East, the Giants are tied for the worst record in the NFL at 3-13 with a ground game that ranks 22nd in the league.
Most would have trouble sleeping if they were Mara, too. At least he will not have to watch his former star rip his team apart on Sunday.
