Saquon Barkley said Friday he hopes Daniel Jones can follow a similar path to his own: success in the NFL after the New York Giants.

Jones, in favor of Tommy DeVito earlier this week, requested his release Friday morning from the Giants, who agreed to grant it in a decision that both sides said “would be best for him and for the team .”

Like Jones, Barkley also left the Giants, his departure coming via free agency during the offseason. He landed with the rival Eagles on a three-year contract worth $37.75 million, and has seemingly earned every penny, ranking first in the NFC in rushing yards with 1,137 for a Philadelphia team that has 8 -2 and in first place in the NFC East. — much better than the cellar-swelling Giants (2-8).

The unique situation of two high draft picks – Barkley was second overall to the Giants in 2018 and Jones was sixth a year later – no longer being part of the team was not lost on Barkley.

“I have been in contact with him. Our friendship has remained close throughout the entire process that I was here,” he told reporters on Friday. “It sucks to see how everything turned out for him there. I only have good things to say about him. You won’t really find anyone who can say negative things about him.”

“It’s the NFL. Hopefully, wherever he ends up, they’ll find a guy to come and work. It didn’t work for me there, and I’m doing well here. Hopefully he can find that same fresh start and the same success.” “

One team that won’t be in the mix for Jones is the Dallas Cowboys.

Despite losing Dak Prescott to a season-ending hamstring injury earlier this month, executive vice president Stephen Jones told “The Blitz with Jason & Joe” that the Cowboys are happy with Cooper Rush and Trey Lance in the short term.

Jones will go off waivers, though it’s unlikely any team will pick up the remainder of the four-year, $160 million contract he signed in March 2023. It would cost a claiming team almost $12 million for the remainder of the season. It will likely be signed after waivers are approved.