Saquon Barkley led the Philadelphia Eagles to their second Super Bowl victory in his first season with the franchise. The Eagles’ running back shattered multiple records en route to his maiden Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Barkley’s phenomenal season earned him the coveted spot on the cover of Madden NFL 26. However, the RB doesn’t consider himself the best player in the NFL and wants a two-time Super Bowl champion to be given a 99 rating.
Saquon Barkley Wants This Multi-Time Pro Bowler to Get a 99 Rating in Madden NFL 26
Barkley’s iconic leap from the Week 9 contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars stood out from his last season’s historic performance. On a routine run, he spun mid-stride, then launched himself backwards over Jaguars cornerback Jarriah Jones, fully hurdling him before twisting midair.
The memorable moment will grace the cover of this year’s Madden NFL edition. In addition to that, Barkley will be a 99-rated player in the game. He was asked about the achievement in Madden. The 28-year-old revealed that he thinks one of his teammates deserves to be a 99 as well.
“I think that’s cool too,” Barkley said about the 99-rating. “I think it’s not better than the Madden cover. It’s hard to beat the Madden cover, but 99 is cool just because, as a kid and even as an adult, I’m embarrassed to admit that I make myself 99 anyway. So, it’s a little different when they do it for you.”
“But, I will say this: I am the first Eagles 99 offensive player, and I know some Madden people in the room, so, Lane Johnson is about due. I think Lane Johnson is the best football player in the NFL, so Lane Johnson should get a 99 pretty soon, in my humble opinion.”
CLASS ACT: Saquon Barkley was asked about being a 99 in Madden and he immediately brought up how his teammate Lane Johnson deserves to be a 99
“Lane Johnson is the best football player in the NFL”
Even when it’s about him, he makes it about his teammates.pic.twitter.com/7zFDxE1A6m
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) June 5, 2025
Johnson started 15 games in the regular season and all four games in the postseason as the Eagles won their second Super Bowl at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans. He was named to the Second-team All-Pro for the third time and also earned his sixth Pro Bowl honor.
The Eagles handed Johnson a one-year contract extension through 2027. He’ll earn $8 million across the next two years, with an added $30 million in guarantees, bringing his total earnings to $48 million over that span.
Barkley has also signed a two-year contract extension worth $41.2 million, with $36 million in guaranteed money and $15 million in incentives and escalators. The Johnson-Barkley duo would aim to lead the franchise to more Super Bowl wins in the upcoming season.
