Former New York Giants superstar Saquon Barkley is not looking back and is starting a “new chapter” in his life and career.

After six seasons with Big Blue, Barkley switched sides when he signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason.

In his first game as an Eagle last Friday night in Brazil, Barkley rushed for 109 yards and scored three touchdowns, leaving many Giants fans (and co-owner John Mara) feeling regretful.

This week, Barkley told Rich Eisen that he wasn’t surprised the Giants didn’t contact him in the weeks leading up to free agency last March. He said things were trending that way.

Barkley sees the move as a homecoming of sorts, as he grew up and went to school in Pennsylvania.

“I see it as a blessing. I’m starting a new chapter. I’m grateful to all the guys in New York for the six years I spent there. I learned a lot. Without my time there, I wouldn’t be the player I am today, nor the man I am today,” he said.

Eisen asked if the way he and the Giants parted ways left him with a “chip on his shoulder.”

“That’s true,” Barkley said. “But I always hold a grudge. … It hurts a little. They say sometimes the grass isn’t always greener, but here I am happy, my family is happy. I smile more. Everything about me is improving.”

Barkley later made it clear that his departure from the Giants was not his only motivation.

“I didn’t just hold a grudge against the Giants, but because I have a mission and I want to fulfill it,” he said.

This summer, the public was introduced to the offseason processes on HBO’s “The Giants.” Hard blows. There has been a lot of talk about Barkley among the team’s leadership, including general manager Joe Schoen, Mara and several other high-ranking personnel officials.

Mara obviously wanted to find a way to keep Barkley, but Schoen had other ideas and claimed that it was too expensive to keep Barkley.

Eisen asked Barkley if he was aware of the conversations the Giants had about him before he saw the broadcast.

“Not really,” he said. “But I’m grateful to Mr. Mara and Mr. (Steve) Tisch and both of their families for giving me the opportunity and bringing me there. You can see firsthand how much they appreciated me. They always appreciated me when I was there. You can see it on TV. It left a special place in my heart.”

Barkley seems to have left the Giants behind quickly. He has always carried himself with class and in this interview he was exactly what he hoped his career would be on the field – consistent

“Things didn’t go the way I wanted,” he said. “But it’s not like my career is over. In my opinion, it’s just beginning.”

If he continues to play like he did in Brazil, Barkley is a strong candidate for the league MVP award.