The Saquon Barkley/Sam Darnold Debate Begins Now

Jets rookie QB shined in preseason debut, leading to questions if Giants made mistake.

Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Saquon Barkley of Penn State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being picked #2 overall by the New York Giants during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft at AT&T Stadium on April 26, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Sure, it’s only the first full week of pre-season…. but there is a controversy rocking the New York sports-scene that will likely rage for the next 15 years.

After the preseason debut of New York Jets Sam Darnold on Friday night, New York Post columnist Steve Serby officially declared Saturday the start of the debate of whether the Giants should have picked the quarterback with the second pick of the draft over running back Saquon Barkley. After all, watching Darnold shine in the same stadium will hurt in the next few years after Eli Manning retires — especially if the Giants can’t find a high-level replacement by then.

“With each step Sam Darnold takes toward the Jets’ starting quarterback job, more than a few Giants fans are sure to be asking themselves: ‘Why the hell didn’t we pick him?,’ wrote Serby.

“Unless and until Saquon Barkley gives irrefutable evidence he will be that gold-jacket running back who helps 37-year-old Eli Manning stalk that elusive third Super Bowl championship. Or until general manager Dave Gettleman and head coach Pat Shurmur identify Manning’s successor — be it Davis Webb or Kyle Lauletta or someone else.”

The InsideHook Newsletter.

News, advice and insights for the most interesting person in the room.