Philadelphia Eagles legend Brandon Graham used his spotlight at New York’s Fanatics Fest to mercilessly troll Giants fans over the departure of Saquon Barkley—and it was delicious.
Even in retirement, Graham can’t pass up a chance to needle the Giants. At the “Champs Are Here” panel alongside Dawn Staley, Brian Dawkins, Cooper DeJean, and Nick Foles, he was asked for his top trash talk line. Without skipping a beat, he quipped, “I guess my new thing is, I’m thanking Giants fans right now. Thank you to every Giants fan out there… Thank you for not being smart. Your team let us get Saquon.”
That witty barb hits home—Barkley’s departure from New York to Philadelphia has become the stuff of legend. Despite his dedication and production despite injuries, the Giants let him walk in free agency, choosing instead to give Daniel Jones a massive four-year, $160 million contract.
Philadelphia pounced, signing Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal (with $26 million guaranteed), and he promptly rewarded them with a monster season: 2,005 rushing yards, 13 TDs, plus 278 receiving yards and two receiving scores. Barkley earned NFL Offensive Player of the Year and helped the Eagles clinch their second Super Bowl in six years.
The revenge tour was capped off in Week 7, when Barkley exploded at MetLife Stadium with 176 yards and a touchdown on only 17 carries, leading to a 28–3 blowout. By season’s end, he accounted for nearly 35% of Philly’s total offense, amassing 2,283 scrimmage yards—a stunning showing from a player the Giants let walk.
For Graham, it was poetic justice. A former 15-year Giant nemesis—he recorded 76.5 career sacks, including eight against New York—he savored every victorious moment from the podium. “Thank you, Giants fans,” he said with a sly grin. “We appreciate it.”
Graham’s playful jab hit its mark, and Philly fans are celebrating as the Giants pay the price for their misstep—while the Eagles raise another Lombardi, powered by the very star New York let slip through their fingers.
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