Giants Q&A: Saquon Barkley breaks free from contract talk, for now
Saquon Barkley had a career-high 35 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown in the Giants' 24-16 victory over Houston on Sunday at MetLife Stadium. Credit: Mike Stobe
What did Saquon Barkley think about the talks with the Giants about a contract extension during the bye week that did not lead to a contract extension?
“We got into a little bit of a conversation,” Barkley said on Sunday after rushing a career-high 35 times for 152 yards and a touchdown in the Giants’ 24-16 victory over the Texans at MetLife Stadium. “But at the end of the day, I’ll put that in the past. That was a bye week. Obviously, wasn’t able to come to agreement during the bye week. My mindset is just focus on the rest of the season. Next week, going to [play] Detroit. Let it go. When that opportunity comes up again, focus on it then. I don’t really care about it, to be honest. I just want to win football games . . . I want to be a Giant for life and I’ve been vocal about that. If the conversation gets brought up again, we’ll go from there.”
What did Barkley think about the package the Giants used on multiple plays in which they went with eight offensive linemen, with three of them reporting as eligible receivers?
“I liked it,” he said. “It’s kind of just lining up and letting them know we’re going to run the ball. Can’t stop us. Everybody did a good job.”
How did Kenny Golladay’s return from a knee injury go?
It couldn’t have gone worse. Golladay had no catches on two targets and was booed after dropping a pass on a wide-open crossing route late in the second quarter.
He was benched for the second half.
Golladay mostly kept his answers polite but short after the game.
Did he agree with the benching? “It really don’t matter.”
Does he think he should have played in the second half? “I’m going to keep that comment to myself.”
Why has he struggled since signing a four-year, $72 million contract with the Giants? “I don’t know.”
Coach Brian Daboll said of Golladay: “We just made a decision to play Isaiah [Hodgins] in the second half. It was as simple as that.”
Hodgins, who joined the Giants on Nov. 2, had two catches for 41 yards.
As for Golladay’s future, Daboll said: “I mean, it’s after one game. You never know what can happen week to week. Go out there, try to have a good week of practice and take it day by day.”
Who returned punts?
Adoree’ Jackson.
One game after Richie James fumbled two punts, Jackson took the spot and had little impact on the outcome (other than not fumbling). Jackson returned two punts for a total of 2 yards.
Anthony Rieber covers sports media and business and professional sports (you know, games and trades and things). He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since Jan. 1, 2026.
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