Many questioned the Philadelphia Eagles’ decision to sign Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal in free agency. The running back is already 27 years old and has dealt with injuries throughout his career, which are a major concern for a player at his position.
However, Barkley has proved all his critics wrong in just nine games with the Eagles. He is arguably playing the best football of his career and is a huge reason why Philadelphia is currently on a four-game winning streak.
The Eagles’ next game is against the Dallas Cowboys, and Micah Parsons is expected to make his much-awaited return from injury. The Cowboys star recently spoke about Barkley and called out the New York Giants for letting him go.
Micah Parsons Sounds Off on Giants’ Decision on Saquon Barkley
During a segment on “The Edge with Micah Parsons,” the 25-year-old Cowboys player highlighted how the Giants’ “stupid” decision of not offering Barkley an extension has resulted in the running back terrorizing NFL defenses every week.
“People could say this is ‘Vengeance Saquon,’ but this was always who Saquon was since I’ve known him at Penn State. I knew this is what he was capable of,” Parsons said. “It was honestly a blessing in disguise for Saquon just off the strength of, people are seeing what you’re capable of when people appreciate you. The Giants did not appreciate him, and now the rest of the league is facing the consequences of the Giants’ stupidity.
“Let’s just say, ‘Thank you,’ to the Giants for their stupidity and what they accomplished in the last couple of years because we’re all facing it, and we’re about to face it this weekend. But this is always who Saquon has been, a confident back that can make any cut; his explosion, he’s freaky on the football field. I mean, he’s one of one.”
Micah Parsons on Saquon Barkley:
"The Giants did not appreciate him. And now the rest of the league is facing the consequences of the Giants' stupidity."
(via The Edge with Micah Parsons) pic.twitter.com/Bqx28y7ukR
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 4, 2024
Barkley was the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and has been one of the best running backs in the NFL since making his debut. He played 74 games for the Giants across six seasons and rushed for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,201 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Barkley also had 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Giants are currently 2-7 on the season and will likely draft a new quarterback next year after Daniel Jones has continued to struggle without Barkley.
As for Parsons and the Cowboys, it will be quite challenging for them to stop the Eagles’ star in Week 9. Dallas is giving up an average of 147.8 rushing yards per game this season, and most of the running backs that have played against this year have had immense success.
Barkley Is Having a Christian McCaffrey-Esque Impact on Eagles
In eight games for the Eagles this season, Barkley has rushed for 925 yards and six touchdowns, averaging a career-high 5.9 yards per carry. He also has 20 receptions for 146 yards and two touchdowns on 25 targets.
Barkley scored two touchdowns in the Eagles’ Week 9 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, including one stunning highlight play where he did a backward hurdle. He has been their MVP this season and has had a similar impact as Christian McCaffrey on the San Francisco 49ers after getting traded.
Both Barkley and McCaffrey are among this generation’s best running backs. They have proven that they will play like Hall of Famers if you put them on a team with good players.
Philadelphia is not the favorite to win the NFC this season, but based on how they have played since their bye week, they have enough firepower to defeat the Detroit Lions and the 49ers in the playoffs. Barkley is critical for their success, and the player will hope that he can avoid the injury bug that has hindered him for the majority of his career.