Saquon Barkley gave Xavier McKinney ‘welcome to the NFL’ moment as former teammates face off for first time

PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley and Xavier McKinney gave their coronary heart and soul to the New York Giants of their mixed 10 seasons collectively. Barkley was the heart beat of the offense, whereas McKinney was arguably the identical on protection. 

It was onerous to say the Giants with out mentioning Barkley or McKinney. These days aren’t any extra. 

Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason to finish among the finest offenses within the NFL. McKinney signed with the Inexperienced Bay Packers to be one of many key items of a revamped secondary. 

The Eagles needed each, however McKinney fell out of their value vary. Barkley and McKinney would have been teammates once more, but will face one another for the primary time in Friday’s season opener.

“I look ahead to taking part in in opposition to Xavier,” Barkley mentioned. “Not solely is he a terrific participant, however he is a terrific chief. Once we had been in New York, the best way that he led, the best way that he labored, he drives to be nice. I do know he is doing that over there.

“Comfortable for him. Comfortable he acquired the contract he needed to get. I am actually trying ahead to going in opposition to him.”

Barkley informed a enjoyable story about McKinney from their days with the Giants. When McKinney was a rookie popping out of Alabama, he was the recent shot decide with a first-round grade (McKinney was taken within the second spherical at No. 36 total). 

Already coming into his third 12 months, Barkley needed to present McKinney the league wasn’t going to be simple. 

“My declare to fame with Xavier is, I gave him his ‘welcome to the NFL’ second,” Barkley mentioned with a smile. “In follow, we ran a spot scheme play and I ran up the center and he thudded me up. I form of gotten the very best of him there. 

“That is most likely on the again of his thoughts. He most likely gonna attempt to get that again in opposition to me.”

The respect is mutual within the different locker room. McKinney is effectively conscious of the problem Barkley presents for his new group. 

“He is simply dynamic with the ball,” McKinney mentioned, by way of The Athletic. “He is just about all you need a again to do. You have seen him through the years, the issues that he is completed. When he has the ball in his fingers, even when he is working routes, he simply can do all of it. He is a particular again. One in every of one.”

Barkley and McKinney have exchanged textual content messages this offseason, remaining shut after their days with the Giants handed. Each gamers acquired the contracts they deserved this offseason, and wish to take their new groups to the following stage. 

“I am excited to point out the followers what we acquired,” Barkley mentioned. “We’re gonna get their greatest, so we gotta be prepared and execute the sport plan.”