Post-Game Press Conference: RB Saquon Barkley

NYG Postgame (vs. Steelers) Transcripts: RB Saquon Barkley

September 14, 2020

Q: You didn’t have great stats and the running game struggled. What happened in the running game and why didn’t work very well?

A: I’m not really too concerned with the stats. You have to give credit where credit is due. They have a great defense, especially their defensive front. They made some plays and we weren’t able to win the game today.

Q: I think you were hit behind the line of scrimmage 13 or 15 times tonight. How much harder is it to get going when you can’t get downhill against a front seven like that? What do you guys need to do to get better going into next week?

A: We just have to go back and watch the film and learn. Something I’m proud about with the team today is the way we fought, especially when we were hit with adversity. We just have to go back and watch film, continue to believe in each and come ready to work next week and get ready for Chicago.

Q: You talked about how you would have a lot of discussions about how you would handle the national anthem. Some people kneeled, some stood. What were those discussions like and did you ultimately decide not to kneel during the anthem?

A: We definitely had some discussions about it. We came to an agreement as a team that it’s your right to have your own decision. We’re going to stand with each other. If you stand, you stand, if you kneel, you kneel. We’re all going to respect each other’s decisions. For me personally, I respect everyone that’s kneeling and I respect everything that’s going on. I want to continue to fall back on what I’m doing in my community and try to be a leader in that aspect. Try to make change that way. Everyone that kneeled or stands, I respect it all. I kind of just did what I normally do.

Q: That third quarter drive there, 19 plays and you come up with nothing, an interception. How much of a back breaker was that?

A: I guess you can look back at that moment and that hurt us. You don’t know what could have happened the rest of the game. We didn’t execute the rest of the game. We had a really good drive, I don’t know how many plays it was. Like you said, I think you said 18 or 17. They made a play. At the end of the day, even after that we were still in the game. We were still able to find a way to win a game and we didn’t do that. That’s the most important thing, find a way to win games and that’s what we have to be able to do better.

Q: How strange was it to play a game that matters in a situation like this? You’re so used to playing in front of big crowds. What was tonight situation like?

A: It’s definitely different maybe on play one. Then you get so locked into the game that it really kind of doesn’t have an impact. On Slay’s score, that big touchdown for us, it felt just like a normal game. Obviously, we would love to have the fans there, we have amazing fans. We know they are cheering from home. We know what’s going on in the world and unfortunately that’s the case. We have to continue to go out there and play the sport that we love. You have to look at it as a blessing in disguise. We’re still able to go out there and be able to play the sport that we love.

Q: You said you are not too concerned with the stats. Stats aside, what’s your assessment of how you played overall?

A: I have to be better, I have to be better for the team. We have to find a way to get the run game going. That’s how I truly believe. I have to go back and watch film to give you an honest answer. I can’t just talk off of emotions. One thing that just pops in my mind is find a way to get the run game going for this team. I know that’s going to be a key part of our success. I truly believe and I still believe in it. Keep grinding at it, keep working at it and find a way.

Q: We saw the camera pan to you, you looked really frustrated at times on the sideline. What was it that was getting to you? Was it the lack of success? Was it specific schemes they were doing that was disrupting you?

A: I guess I probably showed a little emotion on my face. I’m human at the end of the day. At the end of the day, the moral of the story is we didn’t win the game. That’s the only thing I’m about, trying to find ways to win the game. That’s going to be my whole mindset coming back this week. Getting ready for Chicago, what can we do. what can I do as a player, and as a team to put us in a better position and give us a better chance to win the game.