Saquon Barkley Confirms Real Reason for Ditching Giants After Bold Claim on Eagles

There have been only nine players in the NFL’s 100-year history to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a single season. It’s harder than back-to-back MVPs, rarer than a flawless season, and only given to names that are muttered with respect, like Derrick Henry, Terrell Davis, Adrian Peterson, Barry Sanders, and Eric Dickerson. Each of them transformed mediocre runs into memorable ones thanks to a unique blend of durability, vision, and an offensive line prepared for battle. For Saquon Barkley, it wasn’t just a pipe dream, he considers it a component of his decision-making process.

Because nobody dashes for 2,000 yards by himself. It requires a fortress. Coaches who support it. Weapons around you to pull defenders away. And most importantly, an ecosystem that magnifies you. And Saquon Barkley? He knew that New York didn’t have it.

Barkley finally revealed why he ended the Giants era and signed a contract with their division rivals on the ‘Exciting Mics’ podcast, which was hosted by Eagles defenders Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean. “Me and my family, my friends felt like coming to Philly would give us the best chance to win,” Barkley explained. “I feel like my legacy and the type of player that I want to be can continue to happen if I came here.” And he didn’t make this choice on an impulse. Barkley claimed he knew he had a unique campaign ahead of him going into the 2024 season. But he required a machine to support him to reach that potential.

And Philly? It had just that. A formidable offensive line led by All-Pros, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, Jalen Hurts, and more. “It’s not an accident why only nine players ever rushed for 2,000 yards,” Barkley added. “You can’t be great without the greatness of others.” So, Barkley wasn’t abandoning the past when he left New York, he was simply embracing a better football future.

The 27-year-old broke the 2K barrier last season, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to do it and the first to do so with his second NFL team after scorching the Dallas Cowboys for 167 yards on 31 carries. Oh, and he won the division with a thumping score of 41-7. Talk about a legacy play. After the game, Barkley told FOX, “I can’t lie, it’s amazing. I wouldn’t be able to do it without the O-line, the wide receivers, the tight end… They did all the work. I just followed them, and it made me look a lot better.” 

Saquon Barkley’s big claim about the birds 

Not only did the Eagles defeat the reigning champion Chiefs in the 2024 Super Bowl, but they also stopped the fans mid-bite at their watch parties. But for Barkley, it was more than a ring—it was supremacy that defined his legacy. And now, he is showing some bold respect for it.

Barkley boldly stated in the same podcast appearance, “I firmly believe… our team last year, I think we’re a top-five team of all time.” The Eagles had a modest 2-2 start to 2024, but once things clicked, they were unstoppable. They finished the season on a 10-1 hot streak. And dominated the playoffs after outscoring opponents 329-188 starting in Week 8. The icing on the cake was their 40–20 victory over Kansas City in the Super Bowl. “When you have the talent and skill we have, mixed with the coaching, and we all bought in — teams really stood no chance,” Barkley said. “The score finished 40-something to 20, but in reality, it wasn’t even really a game.”

And he got receipts. Because the 2024 Eagles weren’t just talented, they were relentless. Winning five games by a single possession, overcoming Jalen Hurts’ ailments, and finding methods to win games. For Barkley, it wasn’t about individual glory, it was something bigger than that. It was a celebration of a team. “I think when we look back in 10, 15 years… people don’t give us enough credit,” he said. “But we were one of the best teams ever put together.” 

Whether Barkley’s claim lives up to the NFL lore will only be determined in time. However, for the time being, Saquon Barkley isn’t just rewriting his story—he’s pushing football history to remember his team, with a Super Bowl ring in his hand, sponsorships piling up, and a spectacular year behind him.

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