An exhausted Saquon Barkley had just finished trash-talking Giants safety Tyler Nubin and slid over to the Eagles bench and turned to his teammate.

“I love No. 31,” Barkley said, referring to Nubin, in sideline conversation captured on microphone video. “He will make a good security guard. He’s a rookie; himself and number 22 (Dru Phillips). “They will be strong, brother.”

General manager Joe Schoen and Barkley never saw eye-to-eye on contract terms — the Giants’ top quarterback and four-time co-captain signed with the Eagles after six years on the other side of the rivalry — but Barkley made his own decision. stamp of approval Two players drafted by Schoen He’s been missing his team’s biggest star in free agency for about six weeks.

In what looks like another lost season for the Giants, the development of second-round pick Nubin and third-round pick Phillips is one of the few things that can keep fans engaged.

The Giants could have 40 percent of secondary education ready by 2027.

“It’s really great to hear a guy like (Barkley) come from this organization where you hear so much about him,” Phillips told The Post. “We talked after the game and I said, ‘I got respect from Saquon. I must be doing something right.’ “As a rookie, I go out, do my job and try to earn respect.”

barkley Rushed for 176 yards against the Giantsbut his lone field goal might have been a three if the Eagles hadn’t used a near-automatic quarterback sneak for two 1-yard scores.

As Barkley celebrated a successful Tush Push, Nubin reminded Barkley that the Eagles did not give him the ball – to which Barkley replied that Nubin was “just a rookie” and missed a tackle in the open field.

Insert bad language where you expect it.

“Saquon is definitely a guy that I respect, and I’ve been watching since I graduated high school,” Nubin told The Post. “I was thinking, ‘Dang, I have to fight him after seeing him in the league.’ “It’s a beautiful moment that means a lot, especially for a vet who knows what’s inside.”

It’s easy to lump cerebral safety Nubin and high-energy cornerback Phillips together as rookie defensive backs playing big roles. The similarities end there.

“We are different, but we each have things the other doesn’t,” Phillips said. “He has a lot more IQ and knows everything, and I just go with my instincts and go play ball. When you put it together, a good tandem emerges.”

Nubin leads the Giants in defensive snaps (425) after linebacker Bobby Okereke’s two-straight year streak of 1,546 ended.

Phillips allows NFL’s best cornerback He posted 4.2 yards per reception and gave up just two first downs on 11 completions as Pro Football Focus’ top-graded rookie cornerback.

“We definitely help each other in the classroom and in the film room,” Nubin said. “Our games are completely different, but we learned a lot from each other and I can’t wait to continue with it.”

Steelers defensive head coach Mike Tomlin, whose team will face the Giants on Monday, said Nubin was “highly thought of in the draft.” “He loved observing (Phillips) in the draft class,” he added.

Tomlin said the pair “definitely caught our attention.”

Phillips had six tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble (showing good run support) before his first pass was defended.

“My stat book looks like I’m a linebacker,” Phillips joked. “But this is a good thing. I know I’m sticky with coverage so I can’t aim. But it will come and these coaches will keep you humble. “There’s always something I can work on to get better.”

The Giants view Nubin, who had 48 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery performance, as future captain material.

And with so many matches ahead of us, we’re not backing down from Barkley.

“We treat it like a straight forward job,” Nubin said of his rookie approach. “I’m the talker on the field and I usually get the guys that want to respond. It gets me on my game and I’m trying to beat the other team.”

The Giants will take advantage of any advantage they can get.

“We understand what we are and what we can be,” Phillips said. “We push every week. It might not be the biggest jump, but we’re trying to help this team win.”