Saquon Barkley Shares How John Mara Rejected His Trade Request from the Giants

Saquon Barkley Documentary Reveals Struggles and Triumphs with the Giants

In an introspective and revealing documentary titled “Saquon,” NFL star Saquon Barkley candidly discusses his tumultuous relationship with the New York Giants. This compelling video diary spans nearly five years, beginning with his recovery from a torn ACL in 2020 and culminating in the Eagles’ Super Bowl triumph in 2025. The documentary offers a unique perspective on Barkley’s emotional journey, showcasing moments of self-doubt, frustration, and ultimate jubilation.

Unveiling the Contract Negotiation Tensions

Central to the documentary is Barkley’s challenging contract negotiation with the Giants, which stretched from November 2022 to March 2024. As he reflects on this period, Barkley expresses feelings of being used and misled. “Everyone gets to f–k me over,” he laments about the perceived lack of agency he felt during negotiations, noting his reluctance to vocalize his frustrations through trade demands or social media posts.

Barkley’s evolving request during the process illustrates his struggle: “I would’ve signed for $10 million, $11 million [per year] if they would’ve just operated a whole different way,” he stated. The documentary explores how his asking price decreased as he attempted to remain with the Giants, despite feeling that general manager Joe Schoen was not making significant efforts to meet him halfway.

Key Revelations from the Documentary

Viewers gain valuable insights into Barkley’s mindset and pivotal moments during this tumultuous period. Here are five critical revelations highlighted in the documentary:

• Trade Request Denial: At a peak moment of frustration in July 2023, Barkley sought permission from Giants owner John Mara to explore trading options but was firmly denied.
• Changing Agents for Progress: Barkley switched agents from Kim Miale to Ed Berry in hopes of gaining traction in the negotiations, which ultimately fell short.
• Perceived Punishment Post-Contract Offer: After rejecting the initial contract offer from the Giants, Barkley felt that his performance was exploited, setting him up for disappointment.
• Tiki Barber Incident: Prior to an ACL injury, Barkley contemplated making a statement by wearing a Tiki Barber jersey due to critical comments about his performance.
• Journey to the Eagles: Remarkably, Barkley’s daughter had predicted a connection with the Eagles long before it transpired, highlighting the serendipity in his career trajectory.

The Impact of the Giants on Barkley’s Career

Reflecting on his time with the Giants, Barkley acknowledges the significant role they played in his development as a player. He emphasizes that despite the hardships, the skills and resilience he built while with the franchise were foundational to his later success with the Eagles. His record-setting 2025 season, where he achieved the coveted 2,000 rushing yards milestone, raises poignant questions about what could have been had he remained with the Giants.

As Barkley succinctly puts it, “The story would be so much sweeter,” recognizing the deep connections and struggles shared with many within the Giants organization. Ultimately, “Saquon” captures the essence of his journey—one filled with trials and triumphs that shaped him into the player and person he is today.

Watch “Saquon” on Prime Video

Fans can catch the full documentary “Saquon,” set to release on Thursday on Prime Video alongside Amazon’s broadcast of the Eagles vs. Giants game. It promises to be a heartfelt look into the life of one of the NFL’s most dynamic players.