Ex-Giants Saquon Barkley-Xavier McKinney ready for big clash in Week 1

Saquon Barkley storms down a running lane and takes aim at the stubborn Xavier McKinney as the last obstacle on the way to the finish line.

A scene from Giants training camps past will likely play out sometime Friday night when Barkley and McKinney make their debuts for the Eagles and Packers, respectively, in the first NFL game in Brazil as part of the four-day first week.

“Saquon has that deadly jump cut, but Xavier is one of the best safeties in the NFL,” Giants defensive back Isaiah Simmons said. “Saquon will win some, Xavier will win some. Who wins more? I guess the one who prepared better in the offseason.”

“I know Saquon will probably have a lot to say, but ‘X’ is aggressive, especially on game days. His attitude on the field is, ‘There’s nobody better out here than me.’ It’s going to be good.”

Barkley and McKinney were teammates for four years – separated only by a few locker room seats – and were voted co-captains of the Giants a total of seven times.

As part of general manager Joe Schoen’s plan to reallocate spending to higher-priority positions than running back and safety, the Giants signed Barkley (three years, $37.75 million) and McKinney (four years, $67 million) elsewhere. These were two of the 20 biggest NFL free agent contracts handed out this offseason. They publicly championed each other in contract negotiations.

“They’ve been two leaders on this team,” Giants tight end Daniel Bellinger said. “I think it’ll be fun to watch them and see how they fit into a different system.”

The Post has explored the Giants’ locker room to find out what will happen when Barkley and McKinney meet as opponents for the first time in the open field.

“Ugh. Oh man,” said Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, looking at the picture with a big smile. “Those are two great players. It’s all about the angle. If he comes straight, maybe Xavier will catch him. If ‘Zay has to come from an angle, maybe Saquon will give him a little foot.”

Lawrence was not the only one who imposed conditions on the simulated scenario.

“If the goal line is in sight, I’ll take Saquon. If it’s the first down or the ball is lost, I’ve got to give it to ‘Zay,'” receiver Wan’Dale Robinson said. “If the field is open and ‘X’ just has to bring him down, I think he can do it.”

McKinney should be able to shake off years of pent-up self-control, as tackles are banned in practice and hard-hitting wrap-ups often lead to debates about whether a ball carrier would have really been “down” in a game. It’s time to settle the debate under real rules.

“Saquon will probably try to run him once, and if that doesn’t work, he’ll try to outrun him,” cornerback Adoree’ Jackson said. “Whoever wins the first game, it will be interesting to see what the second game looks like – just knowing the two of them as competitors. And every game after that will be a battle.”

Barkley might be amazed at how much space the Eagles’ vaunted offensive line has created for weaker players: Miles Sanders (1,269 rushing yards in 2022) and D’Andre Swift (1,049 in 2023). He no longer relies on just one star, left tackle Andrew Thomas.

“I think Saquon is going to try to do his spin — that’s his favorite trick,” Thomas said. “And I think Xavier is probably going to nibble on his ankle a little bit.”

Bellinger has seen Barkley’s spin move “too many times” to bet against it the first time around.

“The second time,” Bellinger said, “Xavier will think twice, go deep and cut him off.”

Jackson found himself in a similar situation when he returned with the Giants to face longtime Titans teammate Derrick Henry. Then again, no one in the NFL likes tackling the 247-pound Henry.

“It’s kind of weird, like, ‘Oh shit, you actually have to attack him,'” Jackson said. “I know they’re going to throw a lot at each other, which is justified. Hell, we’ve done that in practice. It’s almost like it’s the same. People might think that, but that’s the way it is.”

Even if the uniforms change color.

“We don’t see this as an ‘X’ against Saquon,” Robinson said. “We’re happy for them and we’re all happy to be playing this game.”