Giants’ star defender wages ‘war’ on Saquon Barkley’s return to MetLife

Dexter Lawrence on Barkley’s Return

On Thursday, Giants’ defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence shared his thoughts on Barkley’s return, acknowledging the impact Barkley had during his time with the Giants while also making it clear that Sunday’s matchup will be anything but friendly.

“I appreciate what he did for this organization and who he was as a teammate and a person to me, most importantly. But Sunday is war, and he knows that,” Lawrence said.

Barkley’s Impact on the Eagles

Barkley is enjoying a bounce-back season at 27 years old, having posted 482 rushing yards, 92 receiving yards, and five total touchdowns so far. He’s been a key component for the Eagles over the first six weeks of the season. However, Philadelphia is sitting at just 3-2, a record that suggests they haven’t been elite by any means, even with Barkley’s presence.

In fact, Barkley’s addition hasn’t dramatically improved the Eagles’ performance. His high price tag may have even limited their ability to strengthen other areas of the roster during free agency.

Giants’ Struggles and Quarterback Dilemma

The Giants, on the other hand, find themselves in a difficult position, sitting dead last in the NFC East. Meanwhile, the Washington Commanders lead the division with a 4-2 record. The Giants’ struggles underscore the impact a star quarterback can make, and their own quarterback situation is under scrutiny.

Daniel Jones remains the starting quarterback, but the team appears to be moving toward a future without him. Whether the Giants decide to part ways after the 2024 season or bench him in the coming weeks to avoid triggering his injury clause, Jones’ time as the franchise’s quarterback may be nearing an end if the losses continue to pile up.

Looking Ahead: A Season on the Brink

If the Giants drop their third consecutive divisional game this season, it could mark the point where the team begins to shift its focus to the future. A loss on Sunday would all but confirm that the Giants’ season is a failure, forcing the organization to start planning for long-term success rather than clinging to hope in what may be a lost year.