ESPN: Saquon Barkley makes Schoen an offer that would be a three-year contract worth $25 million guaranteed and an average of $12.5 million annually ($37.5 million).

Now everyone can put an end to the rumors.

Is there anyone who hasn’t apologized to former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley? That’s how it appears. Barkley was adamant from the outset that he had not received a new offer from the Giants this offseason, and that Joe Schoen had always been the intended recipient of his representatives’ best offer.

It seems to have been the case in the most recent Hard Knocks episode. One of the key videos that went viral features Schoen talking to Barkley’s agent Ed Berry over the phone, debating what could or might not be able to be accomplished. Berry makes Schoen an offer that would be a three-year contract worth $25 million guaranteed and an average of $12.5 million annually ($37.5 million).

You can hear Schoen asking Berry in the video below if No. 26 would be a Giant if they were to put that much money on the table. After saying it might be too wealthy for him on Saquon, Schoen hung up the phone and gave John Mara the information.

Hard Knocks gave NY Giants supporters closure on Saquon Barkley.
Schoen appeared a little irritated at Berry while chatting with Mara. Schoen took issue with Berry’s lack of confidence that Barkley would take a deal if the Giants matched his best offer. Following all of that, Barkley agreed to a $37.75 million, three-year contract for $26 million guarantees with the Eagles.

When Mara learned that Barkley was going to the Eagles, he appeared to be on the verge of passing out, but Schoen was determined to spend that money in other ways that would benefit the organization. He accomplished this by landing Brian Burns in a blockbuster deal and adding linemen Jon Runyan Jr. and Jermaine Eluemunor. After much effort, Schoen eventually came to the conclusion that Barkley would be too much and that the G-Men needed to be “out” in order to try to salvage something.

Though we always knew the Saquon situation would play a significant role in Hard Knocks, some clarification has now been provided. To be clear, Barkley did not get a new offer from the Giants this offseason. However, even if Schoen came through and matched his highest offer, there was no assurance he’d be with Big Blue in 2024 or later.

Although this will likely be discussed for some time to come, the good news is that the Giants’ training camp is quickly approaching. This will allow fans to concentrate on the playmakers in town as Barkley gets ready for life in Philadelphia with his new team.