After two amazing episodes, episode three of Hard Knocks kept viewers focused on the New York Giants and the moves they made this offseason. From the conclusion of the Saquon Barkley situation to the process behind signing free agents, here are some takeaways.
Offensive Line. Offensive Line. And… Offensive Line.
Joe Schoen really meant it when he said protection was a need.
In a closed office with Brian Daboll, the Giants’ GM asked what was the biggest need on this team. The two men agreed that it was the offensive line, specifically inside guys.
So, they went and chased their targets. Jon Runyan, Robert Hunt, and Jermaine Eluemunor were the three guys New York had on their free agency board.
It turned out they weren’t the only team in on both Runyan and Eluemunor. The Jets were in on both guys as well. First on Runyan, who their in-state rivals offered a two-year deal with a $9 million APY (annual per year) and $17 million guaranteed. The Giants upped their offer to a three year, $10 million APY with with the same guarantee amount. That got the job done, but took them out of the running for Hunt (who ended up signing a five-year, $100 million deal with the Carolina Panthers).
But, New York wasn’t done. After hearing the Arizona Cardinals were also in on Eluemunor, New York took action. They offered a two-year deal with a $7 million APY, one million more than what they had him valued at. That got the job done too, and New York landed two solid guys to help protect Daniel Jones.
Brian Burns Became A Giant Without Costing Two First Round Picks
Joe Schoen and Carolina Panthers’ GM Dan Morgan have been discussing the Brian Burns trade situation since the first episode of Hard Knocks. The conclusion occurred in this episode, as both sides finally agreed to a deal.
Remember that the first offer was two first-round picks for Burns. But, then it became two second-round picks. Finally, the agreement was made.
The Giants would trade away the 39th and 140th overall pick along with a 2025 fifth-round pick in exchange for the pass-rusher and pick 165. Morgan wanted a seventh-rounder included in the deal, but Schoen responded “I need players too”.
After that, New York would sign Burns to a five-year, $150 million deal, with $87.5 million guaranteed. They got themselves a solid player to help get pressure to the quarterback, who will work together with Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence for the foreseeable future.
In the Hard Knocks episode, coach Brian Daboll asked how productive Burns is in terms of sacks. So much for stats being a stat no one cares about.
The Saquon Situation, Wrapped Up
Well, we finally got to see the ending to this saga.
There was uncertainty from the beginning of this episode. After Schoen spoke with Saquon’s agent Ed Berry about matching a deal that would bring Barkley back (three-year deal with a $12.5 million APY and $25 million guaranteed), the GM asked if they matched it, that he would be a Giant. The response? “Well…”.
Then, Schoen received a test from an unknown source (to us) that the Chicago Bears upped the offer while the Philadelphia Eagles were (at first) out on him.
Finally, the end came. After Schoen spoke with Berry again and found out the deal would be north of $25 million guaranteed, the Giants’ GM took the team out of the race.
As we know, Barkley ended up in with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal with $26 million guaranteed and the deal could go up to $46 million.
This was the #Giants' reaction to the news of Saquon Barkley officially joining the #Eagles and the details of his contract…
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) July 17, 2024
GM Joe Schoen to owner John Mara: “We’re gonna be fine.” pic.twitter.com/Ydm6ztRs4j https://t.co/QkZLCjIFuI
At least the Giants found their replacement in Devin “Motor” Singletary.
Other Takeaways From Hard Knocks
- Not much on losing safety Xavier McKinney (four-year, $68 million deal)
- New York had Sam Darnold and Gardner Minshew as options to sign at backup quarterback
- Next episode is going to be another fun one, as we found out the Giants looked at trading up for Jayden Daniels and more praise from Brian Daboll about WR Malik Nabers.
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week for more NFL content and follow me on Twitter/X! See you next week for another review of Hard Knocks. Also, check out me and my co-host Brian Germinaro on the Third and Ten Podcast, available wherever you get your podcasts!
Featured Image: HBO
