Giants’ John Mara jokes he was angry at Saquon Barkley because of the publicity and wanted to be involved

New York Giants co-owner John Mara joked Monday that he was angry at Saquon Barkley because of the publicity he had given, who apparently took a hit at the end of his tenure with the ‘team.

Mara said during an episode of “Hard Knocks” earlier this year that he would have trouble sleeping if Barkley joined the Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason. Sure enough, Barkley signed with the Eagles and helped them win the NFC East title.

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Barkley’s ad aired last weekend and Mara spoke about it after announcing the team would retain general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for the 2025 season.

“I called him before the game and told him I was very angry with him because of our relationship for so many years. He said, ‘What do you mean?’ I said at least you could have asked me to do the commercial with you,” Mara said.

“I said I could have turned around and turned around. I said there was a gene running in our family. It’s not just about my nieces.”

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Mara is the uncle of actresses Rooney and Kata Mara.

Barkley’s commercial for Unisom aired Thursday.

“I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby,” Barkley said in the commercial. “Rockabye baby, wake up in your bed, as the thought of 2,000 whirlwinds comes to mind. It’s certainly hard to lose sleep over football – not for me, though. Good night to you all.”

Barkley finished 101 yards shy of the single-season rushing yards record.

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Philadelphia will face the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card round of the playoffs.

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