Saquon Barkley isn’t playing Sunday — but he’s still trolling Giants owner John Mara
Mara said he’d have trouble sleeping if Barkley signed with Philly. Then the back rushed for 2,000 yards. Talk about insomnia.
Saquon Barkley is sleeping like a baby this season. But what about New York Giants owner John Mara?
Ahead of Sunday’s season finale with the Giants, the Eagles running back took a moment to troll his former boss in a new commercial for the sleep aid brand Unisom.
The commercial for the over-the-counter sleeping pill shows the former Giants’ first-round pick sleeping peacefully before he pokes fun at Mara, who said on HBO’s Hard Knocks, “I’ll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I’ll tell you that.”
Of course, that’s exactly what happened. And now, Barkley is set to rest against the Giants after becoming just the ninth NFL player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season.
“I heard some of you were having trouble sleeping, so I wrote you a lullaby,” Barkley says in the ad. “Rock-a-bye baby, awake in your bed. As the thought of two thousand swirls in your head. It sure is tough to lose sleep over football. Not for me, though. Good night to you all.”
If Barkley’s lullaby wasn’t enough to put you to sleep, the three-time Pro Bowler recommends counting sheep, but not just any normal sheep. The video features multiple sheep jumping over a hurdle — backward, of course — with Barkley’s face as they carry a football.
» READ MORE: Here’s the case for allowing Saquon Barkley to go after Eric Dickerson’s record | Mike Sielski
And if you want more of Barkley trolling Mara, a second video was released by the Eagles star and Unisom.
“I’m Saquon Barkley. I’ve heard you guys are having some trouble sleeping,” Barkley said. “We got a big game coming up, you should rest up. Maybe try some Unisom. I don’t need it. But you might. I’m going to sleep like a baby.”
Since signing a three-year contract with the Eagles, Barkley is likely sleeping just fine. Not only has he had a career year, setting the franchise’s single-season rushing record on his way to eclipsing the 2,000-yard mark, but he also has played his way into the MVP conversation.
» READ MORE: Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of Eric Dickerson’s NFL rushing record ends: ‘I’m truly at peace with it’
Mara, on the other hand, has likely had some sleepless nights. The Giants are in the midst of a 3-13 season and are coming off a win over the Indianapolis Colts that knocked them out of pole position for the No. 1 overall pick. While his team could further hurt its draft position by knocking off the Eagles’ backups on Sunday, there is a bit of good news for Mara: He won’t have to worry about Barkley breaking Eric Dickerson’s season rushing record on Sunday.
Instead, Barkley will finish with 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 yards shy of breaking the record, but will be plenty rested for the postseason.