Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had one of the most remarkable seasons by a back in recent years in 2024. His attention to detail and strong mindset proved pivotal as the Eagles went on to win the Super Bowl against Patrick Mahomes and Co., denying the Kansas City Chiefs their chance at an unprecedented third consecutive championship.
In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns on 345 carries, becoming a key part of Philadelphia’s offense. Now, in the offseason, stories keep surfacing about Barkley’s intense focus and drive.
Wide receiver and teammate DeVonta Smith recently shared an unusual but telling sign he’s noticed during training that shows when Barkley is in the zone.
Saquon Barkley’s Game Face? A Literal Growl
Smith let fans in on a strange but effective signal that shows when Barkley is locked in.
During a recent appearance on Carmelo Anthony’s “7PM in Brooklyn” podcast, Smith said: “Saquon, he’d be over there growling,” Smith said with a laugh. “Yeah, when he’s in that mode, it’s a whole different animal.”
Saquon Barkley growling is an NFL defense's WORST nightmare 😳@DeVontaSmith_6 @saquon pic.twitter.com/LxSK145xLN
— 7PM in Brooklyn (@7PMinBrooklyn) March 20, 2025
Smith went on to talk about a kind of personality “split” Barkley seems to go through during games and training camp. In practice, he’s precise and calculated. But when the game starts — and the growling kicks in — he turns into something else entirely.
Saquon Barkley’s New Contract with the Eagles
Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, spent six seasons with the New York Giants, compiling 7,311 yards from scrimmage and 47 total touchdowns.
He was especially dominant as a rookie, racking up an NFL-best 2,078 yards from scrimmage and 15 total touchdowns. As injuries plagued him over the next three seasons, he struggled to match the exceptional results he produced his first season.
But in 2022, Barkley returned to form. He finished the season with 1,650 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns, leading the New York Giants to their first – and only – playoff berth since the 2016 season.
After hitting free agency in 2024, the Eagles signed him — and it turned out to be one of the best free-agent pickups in recent NFL history.
After a huge season, he signed a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension in March. He’s now the highest-paid running back in NFL history and the first at the position to make $20 million or more per year.
Even with the big contract, Barkley is focused on building a lasting legacy in Philly. It’ll be interesting to see how the next two seasons unfold — and whether he can pick up right where he left off.
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