Philly Leader

Saquon Barkley, after considering his future, chose to join the Philadelphia Eagles, a decision influenced by factors such as a winning culture and proximity to family. Having spent six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley was highly sought after in free agency. The Eagles signed him on the first day of free agency last March, marking a significant move for both parties.

At a press conference held at NovaCare Complex, Barkley expressed enthusiasm about joining a talented team: "Just being around such talented guys, especially on the offensive side of the ball — you've got Jalen (Hurts), you've got A.J. (Brown), Devonta (Smith) — a tremendous offensive line," he said.

Despite some skepticism regarding the value of running backs in today's NFL landscape, Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman clarified their intent: "Those guys, they go for a lot of money... There's risk in every decision you make... I don't think there's anyone when he came out of the draft that didn't think he wasn't a Hall of Fame-caliber talent and person."

Barkley's season has been remarkable. From his debut performance against Green Bay to his record-breaking game against Dallas Cowboys that secured an NFC East title for Philadelphia, Barkley surpassed 2,000 rushing yards this season. His achievements include numerous personal milestones like setting an Eagles single-season rushing record.

Throughout these successes, Barkley emphasized teamwork over individual accolades: "But at the same time, I wouldn't be able to do that without this team... you can't be great without the greatness of others."

Sunday's victory marked Barkley's first division crown in his career. He acknowledged its significance but remained focused on broader goals: "I'm happy it's my first hat and T-shirt game... But we all know what the goal is."

As Barkley noted about his intentions with Philadelphia: "I want to do something special, meaning special with the team." The upcoming challenges remain as he aims for further success alongside his teammates.