Once again, Hard Knocks is back in New York.
The classic HBO documentary series launched its new off-season version of the show on Tuesday night, where it will follow the Giants as they prepare for the traditional version of the show this fall. This series will feature #1 overall pick Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears.
Not much came out of the opening episode, but Giants fans got an inside look at how the team began negotiations to land rusher Brian Burns and how they began negotiations to part ways with former running back Saquon Barkley.
First trade negotiations for Burns
The Giants traded for Burns last offseason in a deal with the Carolina Panthers — something that apparently began in February at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
General manager Joe Schoen, who was the main character in the episode, began by asking other general managers if anyone had any interest in trading for the Giants’ No. 6 overall pick in the draft, although he was half-joking. then. Eventually, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan submitted an offer for Burns.
“Oh!” Schoen responded.
Although it took some time, it was in exchange for a second and fifth round draft pick. Burns then signed a five-year, $150 million contract with the Giants, where he will now make a big impact in a place where the franchise clearly needed help. That was one of Schoen’s big needs at the start of Tuesday night’s first episode.
Hey, it never hurts to ask.
And Saquon Barkley?
Although they were very involved on Tuesday night – we took a look at Schoen’s off-season preparation following the team’s 6-11 finish last year and quarterback Daniel Jones’ recovery from his ACL injury – There were plenty of signs of the team’s decision to move on from star running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley after failing to get a long-term extension from the Giants this offseason. Barkley played last season with the franchise, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement to keep him in New York long-term. Barkley had 962 rushing yards and six touchdowns last season, his sixth in the league.
The episode ended with discussions in the front office about which direction to take the Giants’ offense, which Schoen seemed determined to protect Jones above all else and hope for a cheaper run on the way back. The way they ended the Barkley era in New York, however, left the group at an impasse.
While we know the team signed Devin Singletary to a three-year, $16.5 million contract, eventually the rest of this summer season of Hard Knocks will certainly feature Barkley’s departure from the franchise.
