A tired Saquon Barkley had just finished talking trash to Giants safety Tyler Nubin when he slid onto the Eagles bench and turned to a teammate.

“I like No. 31,” Barkley said, referencing Nubin in a sideline conversation that was caught on a microphone video. “It will be a good thing for sure. He’s a rookie – him and number 22 (Dr Phillips). They’re gonna be solid, bro.”

General manager Joe Schoen and Barkley never met over contract terms — which is how the Giants’ best playmaker and four-time co-captain ended up signing with the Eagles after six years on the other side of a rivalry — but Barkley put his stamp of approval on it two players Schoen recruited about six weeks of losing the franchise’s biggest star in free agency.

In what looks to be 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 could keep fans engaged.

The Giants could have 40 percent of their starting secondary in place by 2027.

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

Barkley ran for 176 yards against the Giantsbut his only touchdown might have been three if the Eagles hadn’t turned to their near-automatic quarterback sneak for two 1-yard scores.

When Barkley was celebrating a successful Tush Push, Nubin reminded Barkley that the Eagles didn’t give him the ball – to which Barkley responded that Nubin was “just a rookie” and had just missed a tackle in the open field.

Add foul language where you expect it.

“Saquon is definitely a guy that I respect and have watched since I was coming out of high school,” Nubin told The Post. “I was thinking, ‘Dang, I’ve got to tackle him after seeing him in the league.’ It’s a great moment that means a lot, especially from a vet who knows what’s going on in him.”

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

“We’re different, but we both make up what the other doesn’t have,” Phillips said. “He’s got a lot more IQ and knows everything, and I’m instinct and go play the ball. When you put them together, it’s a good tandem.”

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

Phillips allows an NFL-corner-best 4.2 yards per reception and surrendered just two first downs on 11 completions as Pro Football Focus’ top-rated rookie corner.

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

Steelers defensive head coach Mike Tomlin — whose team will face the Giants on Monday — said Nubin “was highly thought of in the draft.” He added that he “liked (Phillips) a lot” in scouting the draft class.

The duo “definitely has our attention,” Tomlin said.

Phillips has 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 it’s a good thing. I know I’ve been sticky about coverage so I’m not getting targets. But it will come, and these coaches keep you humble. There’s always something I can work on to get better.”

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

And they’re not backing down from Barkley with many games to come.

“Treat it like a straight-up deal,” Nubin said of his rookie approach. “I’m a talker on the field and I usually find the guys who want to talk back. It puts me on my game and I try to give up on 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. “Every week, we push. It might not be the biggest jump, but we’re trying to help this team win.”