SPORTSDISTINCTION 02.25
Saquon Soars for the Eagles
By Diana Addison Lyle
The New York Giants’ release of Saquon Barkley turned into their biggest nightmare this football season. After a pay dispute with their running back, the Giants parted ways with Saquon, and in March 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles pounced on the opportunity to bring him on board to fire up their franchise. He didn’t just fire it; he produced an historic first season with bonfire performances propelled by Saquon’s own genius ignition.
New York Giants owner, John Mara, warned general manager Joe Schoen that he would have a “tough time sleeping” were Saquon Barkley to land with the Philadelphia Eagles. Mara must be pretty sleep deprived at this point because his dispatched eagle has certainly landed in football heaven.
The entire country has become mesmerized by Saquon’s capabilities this season. One coach’s failure to see an athlete’s potential has become another coach’s enormous gain. Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni highlights that perception in his description of Saquon:
“When you have the type of quick lateral movement that Saquon has – with the ability to accelerate, the speed to finish, and the power to break it through an arm tackle, he’s got everything you look for in the back. Saquon has been awesome.”
NFL defenses have been shattered by Saquon’s abilities. For viewers, it’s been grand and exciting winter entertainment as they’ve watched the Eagles’ running back jump over players backwards and explode with never-before-seen tricks on the field. Even his fellow teammate, Brown, told NBC’s Devin McCourty recently, “Saquon is incredible, he’s touched by God, and he works hard.”
Right after the Eagles defeated the Los Angeles Rams late November, Rams edge rusher Jared Verse had these words to say about Saquon:
“He’s a different type of player. I’ve never seen a running back like that. He can go downhill. He can bounce! And he did both of those on us, so we have to be better across the board.”
Saquon’s explosive play has put him in the running for the season’s MVP conversation. Anchoring the league’s best rushing offense, he is second only to Derrick Henry in total rushing yards. He leads the league in average yards per game (113.7) and rushes of 10 or more yards (26) and he has rushed for 100 yards in four of his first five games. He is on pace to set a new career high and eclipse his rookie mark of 11 touchdowns; his 5.8 yards per carry is also a career mark. If Saquon were to become the MVP, he would be the first running back to scoop the accolade since Adrian Peterson in 2012. Only 13 winners of the MVP award have been a running back in the Super Bowl era.
Saquon’s efforts have sparked a revival in running back value and investment and it’s raised questions on how the league perceives running back value. He has elevated the Eagles offense in ways that have gotten everybody talking.
Credit must be given to Saquon’s teammates too. He’s reaping the rewards of a Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata-anchored offensive line – one of the best in the league. He has Jalen Hurts, Brown and DeVonta Smith as powerfully dynamic allies, and there’s no question that the chemistry between them is spectacular.
Our own Rams Head Coach, Sean McVay recently said this about Saquon:
“The thing that makes him so dangerous is that if you give him the ability to get to the second level unabated, and he gets enough speed, he’s excellent. He’s as good as there is as a slash runner to be able to work edges and then be able to erase angles and be able to finish. That’s why he’s had the production that he’s had, and that’s why he’s had, arguably, an MVP type of season so far.”
The excitement that Saquon has generated is great for the sport. People watch football because talent and prowess keep us riveted. We watch it to be entertained, and to relieve our daily stresses. Saquon encapsulates all those elements because his record-breaking streak has energized the nation and injected a shot of adrenalin-spiking action into our weekly lives. Importantly, he’s also opened the conversation to the running backs’ value at a time when many coaches have settled for cheaper solutions to their team’s problems.
Taking questions from journalists in an interview with CBS, Saquon was highly articulate and a great ambassador for the game of football. He praised his teammates and conveyed how important every team member is to his overall success.
“The Philadelphia Eagles has an awesome offensive line. Week in and week out, you can see that – especially our tackles, how big they are and how we’re able to move at that size.”
Referring to the specifics of the game where they won 24-19 over the Baltimore Ravens, Saquon said,
“I saw the look on my teammate’s face, and I trusted that he was going to make the block. I ran through as fast as I could, pretty much with my eyes closed. It’s called blind faith when you just trust that he’s going to make the block so that you can hit it at full speed. Jahan (Dotson) and Pearce did a really great job of running off the DBs to open up a space for me. I have so much respect for Derrick Henry (Baltimore Ravens) and the things he’s accomplished this season so far. He’s going to go down as one of the best Backs to ever play the game. As a competitor, to be honest, I don’t know that I really want to tackle him. But the most important thing is that our team won, and we knew that it was going to be a tough challenge.
It’s a blessing to have a coach that trusts me as much as he does. I’ll continue to lean on that. I also have to give a shoutout to defense. It means they’re doing a really good job of not letting the game get out of hand where you drop back. You have to keep trusting the system, keep trusting the guys up front; there’s tremendous talent up there. That’s why our running game has been able to pop in the second half. That and a strong offense.”
Saquon went on to praise the Raven’s Quarterback, Lamar Jackson:
“Look, there’s a reason he’s been MVP twice. I view him as the best player ever, and the things he’s able to do.”
When asked about being a possible MVP for the season, Saquon responded humbly and rationally:
“No, I don’t think about that. My mindset goes straight to the locker room; enjoy the win, and then on Monday, put the work in, rehab, get my body ready. I’m 100% focused on my preparation for the next week. It’s about winning the games so we can get into the playoffs. What has made this season so special is being able to come to a new team (Eagles) and to be able to get to know all the guys individually. It’s fun because I’m new and I get to discover these new relationships. It kind of gives me college vibes.”
Getting back to the on-the-field play, Saquon concluded with,
“I want to be great. I want to make those plays because I know how special my teammates are and how hard they work. I’ve been given a lot of love, and I couldn’t make those plays up front without the guys helping me.”
Acknowledgments: Skysports.com; ESPN; CBS
