When Saquon Barkley’s legendary reverse hurdle over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones was immortalized as the cover art for Madden NFL 26, it could have been a source of embarrassment for the young defender. Instead, Jones met the moment with poise and a surprising sense of humor.
“I seen it and I was like, ‘Damn, they didn’t put my number on there?’” Jones said during minicamp Tuesday. “The play was fire, to me. Everybody DM’d me like I was going to be mad or something. I don’t give a damn. He made a good play. It is what it is.”
The gravity-defying moment happened during the second quarter of a Week 9 matchup, when Barkley caught a pass out of the backfield, converted on third-and-6, spun past one defender, then leaped backward over Jones. The play went viral instantly, becoming one of the defining highlights of Barkley’s historic 2024 season. It helped propel him to a league-leading 2,005 rushing yards, Offensive Player of the Year honors, and a Super Bowl LIX championship with the Eagles.
Jones, for his part, handled the newfound attention with maturity. The third-round pick from Florida State even joked that he’d happily appear on the cover if EA Sports sent him a check. “I need something off that if I’m going to be in the photo,” he laughed.
His perspective stands out in a league where many players let pride override professionalism. Instead of letting the play define him negatively, Jones embraced the spotlight with humility and understanding. “It is what it is,” he said. “He made a great play.”
Jones had a solid rookie season, finishing with 40 combined tackles, two sacks, and one interception while starting four games. With an expanded role likely under Jacksonville’s new defensive coordinator, he’ll have plenty of chances in 2025 to make highlight plays of his own.
His reaction to being on the wrong end of one of the most talked-about plays of the year speaks volumes about his mental makeup. Jones understands that sometimes greatness happens—and it takes two to create an unforgettable moment. That mindset, paired with his athletic talent, suggests his name will show up in future highlight reels for all the right reasons.