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 heartbeat of the offense, whereas McKinney was arguably the identical on protection. 

It was exhausting to say the Giants with out mentioning Barkley or McKinney. These days are not any extra. 

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

The Eagles wished each, however McKinney fell out of their worth 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 stay up for enjoying towards Xavier,” Barkley stated. “Not solely is he an important participant, however he is an important chief. After we have been in New York, the way in which that he led, the way in which that he labored, he drives to be nice. I do know he is doing that over there.

“Completely happy for him. Completely happy he obtained the contract he wished to get. I am actually wanting ahead to going towards him.”

Barkley advised 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 stated with a smile. “In follow, we ran a spot scheme play and I ran up the center and he thudded me up. I sort of gotten one of the best of him there. 

“That is in all probability on the again of his thoughts. He in all probability gonna attempt to get that again towards me.”

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

“He is simply dynamic with the ball,” McKinney stated, through The Athletic. “He is just about all you desire a again to do. You have seen him over time, the issues that he is finished. When he has the ball in his arms, even when he is working routes, he simply can do all of it. He is a particular again. Certainly one of one.”

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

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