It’s not getting any easier for New York Giants co-owner John Mara to sleep.
The 2024 season began with the Giants appearing on the offseason edition of Hard Knocks, where their failures to negotiate with superstar running back Saquon Barkley were highlighted.
Mara openly lamented the idea of Barkley landing with the Philadelphia Eagles, which is precisely what ended up happening. The team, celebrating their 100th season, went on to finish a franchise-worst 3-14.
The Eagles, meanwhile, rode Barkley to an NFC East title and an NFC Championship victory on Sunday night over the Washington Commanders.
Barkley led the way with 122 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns while averaging just under 8.0 yards per carry. It was one more slap in the face for the Giants, who now have to watch their former cornerstone in the Super Bowl.
“I came to Philly to be part of games like this,” Barkley said after the game, via ESPN. “And there’s nothing better than a game where you can advance to the Super Bowl.”
It’s very literally the worst-case scenario for the Giants. It not only makes Mara’s fears a reality and highlights the ineptitude of general manager Joe Schoen, but thrusts their fans deeper into a state of indifference.
“Is it morally wrong for a Giants fan to cheer for the Eagles,” a lifelong fan asked Giants Wire on Sunday night.
The fact that the question was even asked is telling.
The Giants fumbled the Barkley situation and fans are so detached at the moment that their love and respect for the running back has them considering wearing Eagles green on Super Bowl Sunday.
Siding with Philly in any sports-related situation would be considered preposterous at any other time, but here we are…
You can bet Mara never imagined that some Giants fans — not all, but some — would be openly cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles to win the Super Bowl when their anniversary season first got underway.
Things have never been worse.
