The New York Giants are the NFL’s current punching bag and they’re taking strays left, right, and center. Anyone with a voice, from Tom Brady to Dez Bryant, is lighting up the once-proud franchise.
Even Saquon Barkley’s mother, Tonya Johnson, has gotten in on the action.
Another name can be added to the growing list of critics as Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler recently took aim at the Giants and general manager Joe Schoen.
Ahead of their matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship Game, Ekeler slammed the Giants as a “joke” for undervaluing the running back position and allowing Barkley to walk via free agency.
"It's really cool to see the guys that were getting shuffled around and kind of 'Oh, I don't know if these guys that can still play or if they'll make an impact.' like the Giants. What a joke over there letting this guy go." @AustinEkeler on Saquon Barkley and the special year… pic.twitter.com/H1B6uKgFJS
— Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz (@LeBatardShow) January 24, 2025
“Just seeing running backs have success and make a huge impact on their team and help their team out, like Saquon. . . It’s cool,” Ekeler said on the Dan Le Batard Show.
“It’s really cool to see the guys that were getting shuffled around and kind of, ‘Oh, I don’t know if these guys that can still play or if they’ll make an impact.’ Yeah, like the Giants. Oh, what a joke over there letting this guy go.”
Ekeler took one final parting shot at Schoen.
“Prime Saquon. ‘I don’t know who’s going to pay this guy $12 million.’ Well, he’s going to carry your offensive,” he said. “So, everybody? Anyway, don’t get me started there.”
During a time when running backs were perceived to be undervalued, Ekeler was among a group who congregated and discussed their options. Nothing came of those meetings but then Barkley essentially hit free agency and reset the market. His success this season will only serve to benefit the top-end backs going forward.
Ekeler did not reap those early rewards, however. He signed a two-year, $8.43 million contract with the Commanders, who have an out headed into free agency. And following his crucial fumble this past Sunday, he has likely played his way out of Washington.
