Like many players within the New York Giants organization, running back Saquon Barkley was surprised by the departure of defensive coordinator Wink Martindale.
Following months of speculation about a growing divide between he and head coach Brian Daboll, Martindale left the team on Monday after assistants Drew and Kevin Wilkins were given their walking papers.
48 hours later, Martindale the Giants “mutually parted ways.”
“I just want to say how much I appreciate Wink. He’s a great coach. It sucks to see him leave,” Barkley told Mackenzie Salmon of USA TODAY.
Although Barkley doesn’t know what his own future holds, if he were to return to the Giants, he laments the idea of not only losing Martindale but potentially having to square off against him.
“Obviously, my future is — I have no idea what my future is going to be. Whether it’s with the Giants or it’s not,” Barkley said. “But if it is with the Giants, that’s definitely a tough loss because of how great of a coach he is (and) how great of a person he is.
“Wherever he ends up, they’re getting a good one. Whether it’s a head coaching job — I feel like he’d fit that role pretty well. But if he ends up being a defensive coordinator for somewhere else, too, just know, if we have to play him we know the challenges he’ll bring.”
Like Martindale, Barkley seems to be at odds with the current Giants regime. He was upset after they failed to reach a long-term deal last season, which resulted in the former first-round pick playing out the season on the franchise tag.
Now, with free agency once again looming, Barkley says he’s numb to the tag and prefers the Giants just the Band-Aid off. If not, he says, “just let me go.”
“They did it last year. So I’m numb to it. I don’t have any feelings toward that at all,” Barkley said, via the New York Daily News. “If you’re gonna do it, just don’t wait until March 5. Just get it over with. If not, let me go. Simple.”
Barkley has also acknowledged pondering a “fresh start” elsewhere, which is in stark contrast to every comment he’s ever made about remaining a Giant for life.
With Martindale gone and Barkley upset, the Giants suddenly have a few fires they must put out.
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