It’s an incredible story, isn’t it?” remarked Saquon Barkley, the standout running back for the Philadelphia Eagles, when asked to reflect on the past 10 months leading up to Super Bowl LIX, where his team emerged victorious. Sitting in a Raising Cane’s in Trevose, Pennsylvania, Barkley spoke to the media about the recent triumph: the Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, which allowed them to make NFL history and secure the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy as champions of the 2024 season. Barkley, who was named the AP Offensive Player of the Year, joined the 2,000-yard rushing club, leading the NFL in rushing yards and playing a pivotal role for a talented Eagles team that sought redemption after their Super Bowl LVII defeat.
If you had asked Barkley last year whether he would be lifting the trophy in Philadelphia, he likely would have said no. However, after the New York Giants let him enter free agency, the Eagles reached out, and a deal was made. The rest is now history. “You really can’t make this up,” Barkley shared with reporters, joined by Raising Cane’s founder Todd Graves and numerous Eagles fans celebrating the Super Bowl LIX victory. “For me, it’s about the people who supported me throughout this journey—my family, my friends, and their unwavering faith in me. There were challenges, but I didn’t lose hope. When my moment came, I was prepared.”
During the height of the celebration in the Eagles’ locker room at Caesars Superdome, Barkley was asked about the future of the team he just joined, with two more seasons ahead of him under contract. “I mentioned after the game, ‘Why can’t our dynasty start now?’” Barkley said, acknowledging he might have had a bit of champagne in him at the time. “But you can’t dwell on that. You have to savor the moment. Winning one is tough, so you enjoy it and then start fresh. It all begins again after Friday.”
Barkley’s comments about a potential dynasty in Philadelphia reflect his belief in the team’s capability to achieve what the Chiefs aimed for—winning three consecutive Super Bowls, a feat never accomplished in league history. Eagles star receiver A.J. Brown expressed on social media that the drive to compete and win is what motivates him, indicating he isn’t fixated solely on the “Big Game.” His teammate DeVonta Smith echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the team’s collective mindset.