Saquon Barkley is rivaling Derrick Henry as the biggest free agent signing of the season.
Two weeks after the backward hurdle heard around the world, the veteran Philadelphia running back is turning the Eagles into serious Super Bowl contenders.
Barkley was the most dominant player on the field in a Thursday Night Football game that featured Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels, who is the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Rushing 26 times for 146 yards and two touchdowns, Barkley was praised by LeBron James and went viral during a 26-18 home win that gave Philadelphia command of the NFC East.
“You can’t be great without the greatness of others,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said.
“Saquon was great tonight but the offensive line was really good.”
After moving ahead of Henry and taking over first place in the NFL in rushing yards (1,137), the 27-year-old Barkley delivered a line that shook up social media and will be repeated over and over in the years to come.
The former New York Giants star was asked about his in-play thought process that led toward an unbelievable backward hurdle of a Jacksonville Jaguars defender in Week 9, which produced a highlight video that had to be seen to be believed.
Barkley paused, then put the NFL on notice in 2024.
“Being free,” Barkley said.
That sounded cool, but what followed was even better.
“God took his time on me … when it came to this football thing,” Barkley said.
Barkley blew fans away with his running and postgame interview[/caption]
He celebrated another TD by throwing the ball in the stands[/caption]
Then Eagles fans thanked the New York Giants for giving away Barkley[/caption]
“God took his time on me” was soon all over X, with NFL fans devouring the humble brag from the league’s top rusher.
Barkley has been dangerous and explosive with Philadelphia, pairing with Hurts to elevate the Eagles (8-2) into the No. 2 seed in the NFC.
Only the Detroit Lions (8-1) have a better record than the Eagles right now, while Philly has rolled off six consecutive wins.
Hurts has regained his spot as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks.
Barkley has rushed for at least 108 yards in four of his last five games.
“SAQUON!!!!” tweeted King James, who attached a salute emoji to his praise.
With Philly fans chanting “Thank you, Giants!” in the background, Barkley embraced his new fanbase and return to NFL domination.
“It feels amazing,” Barkley said. “Last year it was a tough year for me mentally.”
His interview was paused as “Thank you, Giants!” echoed through Lincoln Financial Field.
God had taken his time on Barkley, and the ex-Giant has allowed the Eagles to place their Nick Sirianni drama in the past, with the playoffs and a potential No. 1 seed approaching.
Barkley also became a fantasy football hero by scoring 18.9 points in just 27 seconds of clock time.
“Barkley is the best running back in football,” one fan tweeted.
“Beast!!!!” a second fan posted.
“Saquon Freaking Barkley!” a third fan wrote. “LEGEND!!!!”
“Thank you, New York,” wrote a fourth fan, saying it all.
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