Saquon Barkley’s move to the Philadelphia Eagles has been a storyline filled with drama, irony, and, most recently, humor. The former New York Giants star signed with the Eagles in free agency, a decision that reportedly caused sleepless nights for Giants co-owner John Mara. Now, Barkley appears to be leaning into that narrative in a tongue-in-cheek Unisom sleep aid commercial, poking fun at Mara and the Giants’ handling of his departure.
A Nightmare Come True for Mara
During an episode of Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants, Mara expressed his deep concern over the possibility of losing Barkley, particularly to the division-rival Eagles.
“I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia,” Mara admitted in the show’s third episode. Barkley had been a cornerstone of the franchise and a fan favorite, embodying the team’s identity during challenging seasons.
Giants general manager Joe Schoen tried to ease Mara’s worries by suggesting that Philadelphia wasn’t in the mix for Barkley. However, that assurance proved to be incorrect. Shortly after filming, Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles, fulfilling Mara’s worst nightmare.
The Unisom Ad: A Playful Dig
Fast forward to this season, and Barkley has thrived in Philadelphia, surpassing 2,000 rushing yards in a standout year. To mark his success, Barkley appeared in a clever ad for Unisom, where he delivered a lullaby with a not-so-subtle nod to the Giants’ sleepless nights.
“I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby,” Barkley says in the ad. “Rockabye baby awake in your bed as the thought of 2,000 swirls in your head. It sure is tough to lose sleep over football; not for me, though. Goodnight to you all.”
The ad ends with Barkley humorously suggesting viewers “try counting sheep,” accompanied by an animated image of him as a lamb jumping over a fence. The reference to Mara’s earlier comments couldn’t be more apparent.
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A Frustrating Reality for the Giants
While Barkley didn’t personally pen the ad’s jingle, the timing and context have added fuel to the narrative surrounding his departure. It reflects poorly on Schoen’s inability to keep the star running back in New York and amplifies Mara’s publicized concerns about losing Barkley to a hated rival.
For Mara and the Giants, the ad serves as a stark reminder of what could have been, as Barkley continues to shine in Philadelphia while the Giants struggle to regain their footing in the NFC East.
A Record-Breaking Season Put on Hold
Barkley’s historic season has put him on the brink of breaking the single-season rushing record. However, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has opted to rest his starters in the final regular-season game against—ironically—the New York Giants. While Barkley understands the strategic decision, he admitted disappointment at not being able to take the field.
“I get it,” Barkley said in a recent interview. “But as a competitor, of course, I’d love to be out there.”
The Legacy of Barkley’s Move
For Eagles fans, Barkley’s success has been a source of joy and vindication, while Giants supporters are left wondering what might have been. The Unisom ad not only highlights Barkley’s star power but also underscores the emotional weight of his departure from New York.
As the Eagles gear up for a deep playoff run, Barkley’s playful jab at the Giants adds a layer of intrigue to what has already been a remarkable season.
Whether Mara finds the ad humorous or not, one thing is certain: Barkley is sleeping just fine in Philadelphia.
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