Saquon Barkley is no stranger to bold statements, and his latest claim about the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles is stirring up a serious debate across the NFL world.
In a recent appearance on the Exciting Mics podcast, the All-Pro running back declared that last year’s Eagles squad deserves a spot among the greatest teams in league history.
“I firmly believe when you look at our team that we had last year… I think we were a Top 5 team of all time,” Barkley told co-hosts and teammates Reed Blankenship and Cooper DeJean.
“We started off 2-2, and lost to Washington when Jalen got hurt… But if you really look at the season outside of the first 4 games, it was belt to (expletive).”
While most championship teams draw praise, Barkley‘s statement reaches beyond the usual post-Super Bowl celebrations. He’s suggesting that what the Eagles accomplished in 2024 wasn’t just great – it was historic.
Comparing the Eagles to NFL dynasties
The Eagles closed out their remarkable campaign with 18 wins, a mark that places them in an exclusive club. Only three other teams in NFL history have achieved the same: the 1984 San Francisco 49ers, 1985 Chicago Bears, and 2007 New England Patriots. Those teams are considered benchmarks of dominance – and the Eagles now join them statistically.
But Philadelphia’s path to greatness wasn’t solely built on win totals. Their offense, led by Jalen Hurts, Barkley, and a powerhouse offensive line, was a nightmare for defenses – particularly in the run game.
Meanwhile, the Eagles‘ defense finished the year ranked No. 1 in the league, delivering one of the most complete two-way performances in recent memory.
The postseason showcased their peak. Philadelphia set an NFL record by scoring 95 combined points in the NFC Championship and Super Bowl, the highest since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. That offensive explosion came against elite defenses and in the most pressurized moments – not against weak regular-season competition.
Their Super Bowl LIX performance capped off what many fans and analysts have described as one of the most well-rounded playoff runs in modern NFL history.
Barkley’s claim isn’t just pride
Skeptics may point to the Eagles‘ 2-2 start or the strength of schedule as reasons to hesitate before placing them among the all-time greats.
But Barkley‘s viewpoint is shaped by experience. He saw firsthand how the team evolved over the course of the season, overcoming injuries and playing their best football when it mattered most.
His point is clear: few teams have ever dominated on both sides of the ball, rebounded from early setbacks, and shattered records in the postseason like the 2024 Eagles.
Greatness in the NFL is often defined by consistency, resilience, and championship-level execution – and the Eagles checked every box. Barkley‘s claim may raise eyebrows, but the case he makes is rooted in hard numbers and unforgettable moments.
Whether fans agree with his top-five ranking or not, there’s little doubt that the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles belong in the conversation with the best teams the league has ever seen.
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