Hard Knocks Episode 3 Puts Giants Fans Through Free Agency Stress With Joe Schoen

The first two episodes of Hard Knocks Offseason with the New York Giants gave us insight into how free agency prep works and how the staff goes about the NFL Combine. The third episode was the most dramatic yet as the team went through free agency with several massive storylines.

Giants never made a final offer to Saquon Barkley

The biggest debate has been whether Saquon Barkley actually got a final offer from the New York Giants or if he was lying as Hard Knocks made it seem that Joe Schoen did make an offer. The episode started with Joe Schoen on the phone finding out that a three-year deal worth $12.5 million per year and $25 million guaranteed may get the deal done.

Brian Daboll had input on all of Joe Schoen's deals

Joe Schoen invited Brian Daboll into his office prior to the start of free agency to let him give input on his decisions. Schoen asked Daboll about to players specifically, Brian Burns and Jon Runyan Jr. both of which the Giants landed this offseason. Schoen then said he feels the offensive line is the top priority which Daboll agreed with while Jermaine Eluemenor was mentioned as the team's top offensive lineman. Tyrod Taylor was mentioned as the team's top option at backup quarterback while Schoen pitched Sam Darnold and Drew Lock.

The Giants also offered Robert Hunt a contract but, he ended up signing a deal worth $20 Million per year.

Joe Schoen thought the Eagles were out on Saquon Barkley

In a pre-free agency meeting with Brandon Brown and John Mara, Joe Schoen stated that he heard the Bears were driving the price up on Saquon Barkley while the Eagles were seemingly out. The mention of Philadelphia made John Mara sick as he clearly stated he'd have trouble sleeping if Barkley left for Philadelphia.

Giants and Jets were in on several offensive linemen

The New York Jets were in on a few of the players that the Giants were heavily pursuing this free agency. Joe Schoen found out that the Jets offered Jon Runyan a two-year deal worth $9 Million per year which led Schoen into countering for three years' worth $10 million which got the deal done. The Giants also pushed their offer on Jermaine Eluemunor which got the team the deal over the Arizona Cardinals. The Giants front office was clearly high on Jermaine Eluemunor and on Jon Runyan Jr so it's incredible that the Giants landed both players.

Schoen pulled the Giants out of the Barkley negotiations

The entire day leading up to free agency Schoen was checking in with Saquon Barkley's agent Ed Berry constantly getting updates on where Barkley was. Joe Schoen told Ed Berry the Giants were out on Barkley as the price got too high but, he did ask if the team was in the division. When John Mara found out that Saquon was heading to Philly it was clear that he was angry while the room was in shock.

The Giants seemingly never considered resigning Xavier McKinney

The entire show we saw Joe Schoen trying to work out a deal for Saquon Barkley but, the Giants other star free agent was ignored. We never saw Schoen talk about re-signing Xavier McKinney, and he was shocked that McKinney became the second highest-paid safety in the league. Schoen is huge on positional value and with McKinney's issues with the team over the past two years, it makes sense that both sides parted ways.

After losing Saquon and McKinney the Giants pulled the trigger on Brian Burns

You can make the assumption that Joe Schoen was in love with the idea of trading for Brian Burns as he mentioned it several times in each episode. Once the Giants lost their free agents Schoen met with Brandon Brown, Shane Bowen, and Brian Daboll asking for their input on Burns. Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was all in on trading for the EDGE even though it would be the team's only defensive move.

We saw Joe Schoen discuss what the potential trade package would be, but the front office was stuck waiting on approval from David Tepper's approval in Carolina. Dan Morgan called back asking for an additional seventh-round pick which Schoen was clearly disgusted by. Schoen landing Brian Burns for less than a first-round pick is incredible as Morgan initially asked for two first-rounders, while the Panthers declined four first-round picks from the Rams.

In other Giants news: