The Philadelphia Eagles‘ decision to sign running back Saquon Barkley was a landmark moment in the NFL and quickly made them into one of the favorites before the first snap of the season, but this isn’t a shock to the Kansas City Chiefs’ Chris Jones who predicted exactly that.
There was some questioning of whether investing heavily in a 27-year-old running back was a wise move; whilst others, however, believed that Philadelphia provided the ideal setting for the rusher.
But in terms of those talking their talk on the NFL fields around the league, they recognized the larger implications of the signing before the season started
Among them was Chiefs All-Pro tackle Jones, regarded as one of the best defensive players in the league, who immediately understood Barkley joining the Eagles could shift the balance of power in the NFL.
“I said ‘Oh s**t, we in trouble. The league is in trouble,'” Jones told media of the move. “Like [LeBron James] said, I’ve seen it happening. I was sitting on my couch and I was like, ‘They’re about to get Saquon.’
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“I could see it. I don’t know why I said it, I just felt like that. That’s what happened and they got Saquon. Yeah, they got Saquon, man.”
Barkley became only the ninth player in history to rush for over 2000 yards in a single season and with just 30 more yards in Sunday’s Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans, he will surpass Terrell Davis’ all-time single-season rushing record, including the playoffs.
However, football goes beyond individual accolades. Barkley’s performance has propelled the Eagles to the biggest stage and now he has the opportunity to deliver Philadelphia its second Super Bowl title.
The Chiefs, with Jones leading their defensive front, will do everything in their power to contain him. However, as Jones acknowledged, the very moment the Eagles secured Barkley, they didn’t just improve their roster-they reshaped the entire league.
Jones: Barkley signing good for the sport
For Jones, the addition of Barkley wasn’t just another offseason transaction-it was a transformative moment for the NFL.
He recognized that Barkley‘s full potential had been stifled in New York, where an inconsistent offensive line and lackluster team support limited his success.
Now, with a dominant offensive line and a well-structured offensive scheme in Philadelphia, Barkley was poised to remind the league just how special he truly is and Jones said this is good for the league.
“I think it’s good for the game,” Jones continued. “It’s good to see Saquon back to being Saquon. I think he got lost playing in the transit of New York and we forgot how special that kid is.
“To see him back playing for his full potential (and) meaningful football in January and February, I’m happy for him.”
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