Saquon Barkley had some advice for Daniel Jones after his Week 1 disaster.
The former Giants running back told reporters Thursday that he extended some words of encouragement to his old quarterback after Big Blue’s 28-6 loss to the Vikings last weekend.
“I talked to him,” Barkley said. “I’m really good friends with DJ, obviously he didn’t have the game that he wants … I just let him know, just go out there and play free and do what you do best.”
Jones struggled during the blowout loss, going 22-for-42 with 186 passing yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions, including an ugly pick-six.
The crowd at MetLife Stadium rained boos on the $160 million quarterback — both during and after the game.
In the days after the game, Vikings outside linebacker Jonathan Greenard said he and his Minnesota teammates felt bad on behalf of Jones’ after the terrible showing.
“We kind of started to feel a little bit bad for him as we’re still just completely taking away everything he wants to do,” Greenard said on “The Power Trip Morning Show.” “Hey, it’s good to be on the other side of it, and it’s our job to not be on that side.”
Barkley struck a much different tune than another ex-teammate of Jones, Kyle Rudolph, who said he doesn’t recognize the quarterback compared to a few years ago.
“The Daniel Jones that I saw on Sunday in that game is not the Daniel Jones that I watched take them to the divisional round of the playoffs,” Rudolph said on “Up & Adams” on Thursday. “It’s not the guy I played with when I was there for a year. His confidence looks completely destroyed. How can you blame him?
“Every time he goes out there, he’s fighting for his life.”
Barkley, on the other hand, dominated in his debut with the Eagles, with a trio of touchdowns, 109 rushing yards and 23 receiving yards on two catches during Philadelphia’s 34-29 win over the Packers.