The Philadelphia Eagles were very strategic when they announced Saquon Barkley's record-breaking extension and subsequent press conference on the day they lost five key players on defense to free agency.
Barkley signed a record breaking two-year, $41 million extension that made him the highest running back in the game last week following a 2,000-yard season and the most total rushing yards ever in a single year counting the postseason.
For Barkley, the fact he has come so far from a player not reaching his potential with the New York Giants to becoming an all-time great with the Eagles was something he thought about a lot when signing his extension.
"I think it was just mutual," Barkley said. "The love I have for this organization and wanting to be here for a very long time. The same thing they feel for me, obviously it shows, so I'm just thankful for the extension but being part of this organization. From top to bottom, they do it the right way. Everybody in this building. To be able to be part of this for another four years and hopefully more, I'm super excited about that."
Much like the rest of the Eagles, though, Barkley has moved past their Super Bowl success.
"In the moment, it's cool," Barkley said. "But it's kind of anything in life – or how I see it so far in my life – when things happen, and I envisioned this so many times and seen it so many times, that when it happens, it kind of never really lives up to expectations I guess you can say."
Related: Eagles Lose Josh Sweat To NFC Rival In Free Agency
Barkley, along with several key figures like A.J. Brown and Jalen Hurts are already preparing for next season as they try to repeat as Super Bowl champions.
No NFL team has repeated a previous back-to-back champ since the 1974-75 Steelers won two in a row following Miami's run of dominance from 1972-73.
In order to break that record, the Eagles need Barkley happy and healthy.
So far the team has done enough for both to be true.
Related: Eagles' Secondary Enters Youth Movement As Two Veterans Leave In Free Agency
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This story was originally published March 10, 2025 at 10:53 PM.
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