Saquon Barkley with the loss of AJ Brown, another new OC and that loophole | Special
If there’s one game Saquon Barkley wants back, it’s Super Bowl 59.
The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a game that wasn’t as close as the final score indicated. Barkley, however, had 25 carries for 57 yards — a paltry performance compared to his record season in which he rushed for 2,005 yards in the regular season, added 443 in three playoff games and scored 21 touchdowns as the confetti fell on the Eagles in New Orleans.
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Last season ended with a wild card loss to the San Francisco 49ers after a second straight NFC East title but a more pedestrian campaign for the offense.
“So that’s motivation for me — try to get back to that game,” Barkley told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview on July 15. “That’s why I train the way I train. I wish I could have started faster than last year, but you can’t get caught up in the numbers. You can’t get too caught up in the numbers. Some of my best tackle numbers I wasn’t getting.”
Barkley rushed for more than 100 yards in a game three times — twice in the final four weeks of the regular season and in the playoffs last season, down from 14 (including the playoffs) in 2024 — as the Eagles’ offense sputtered. Injuries along the offensive line exacerbated the ineffective running game. Kevin Patullo, the former offensive coordinator, took the fall and was reassigned at the end of the year and left the organization.
Saquon Barkley is the new offensive coordinator for the Eagles
Despite the finish, Barkley felt his best performances of the season came in the back half of 2025. That gives him confidence, especially with Sean Mannion taking over as OC.
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“For me personally, it’s not always the stats, because every game brings a different challenge. Did I have better stats in the last 5 games? Yes,” said Barkley. “I felt like how I was running the ball, how I was breaking tackles, I felt like I was getting stronger as the season went on, and that’s why I think statistically I’m one of the best running backs in Philly history.”
Winning a Super Bowl is the only thing that matters on the field for Barkley. If it’s been achieved, it’s time to repeat it, which is the challenge Barkley and the Eagles are facing after falling from the top of the mountain last week.
“There will be one winner and thirty-one losers,” Barkley said, “and the losers are the same.”
An obstacle
Barkley spoke to USA TODAY Sports while promoting his new DIRECTV ad campaign, which features his famous running back hurdle in the 2024 Week 9 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The scene features “Barkley” (OK actually a stunt double) doing various obstacles.
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Looking back on the game two years later, Barkley said he never thought he would continue to be part of the culture.
“When I got to the locker room to watch the game, I realized that I was able to do something very nice, it’s a game that I will never forget, but I also don’t want to be remembered for that game.
“I’m happy that I was able to play this game. But I’m ready for the next one.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) jumps with the ball over Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Jarrian Jones (22) on Nov. 2, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Barkley also spoke to USA TODAY about Mannion, former teammate AJ Brown (now with the New England Patriots), recruiting LeBron James to join the 76ers and more.
The questions and answers have been slightly edited for clarity and length.
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USA TODAY: Marketing is not new to you. What makes this one special?
Saquon Barkley: “This one was different. Shout out to my stunt double. He took a lot of responsibility for me to be completely honest. But it was cool how – I could see it in real time, they were showing me how they were going to create this, do that. But I like to act, a little bit. You see how the film is made. You see this set and scene?’ They made me do something small and it turned into something great. But that was amazing. And just spending the day with DIRECTV, and seeing what they’re all about – I’ve been a fan for a long time but this is my first time working with DIRECTV. I hope people will enjoy this place.”
USAT: What about that creative process makes you happy?
SB: “As I grow up and start thinking about other things I want to do in my career, it’s nice to see how the film is made, the way it’s made. It’s very hard work. Everything – I’m a cornball when it comes to this – but everything comes down to the team. It takes a big team to achieve everything you want. If you want to succeed in football, if you want to succeed in football, if you want to succeed in DIC in life, look at DIC e TV to succeed in life, if you want to succeed in TV life. It takes a team. It takes a cameraman of images. It takes many times.
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USAT: What were your thoughts on Sean Mannion?
SB: “You have to respect a very intelligent man. That’s something you can see right away. He loves football. He’s young. He has a chance to live a lifetime and I think he’s going to take advantage of it.”
“I’m excited for him. I don’t want to get too into the X’s and O’s. … I’m excited for him. I think, not just for me as a player, but for our offense, he’s going to bring out the best in us.”
“We all buy something new. I believe a lot – I was able to start over and see what I was able to do in my career. It’s the same thing. You get a new start with everyone. A new system. We all have to learn and adapt. We all win and we can do it.”
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USAT: How would you describe AJ Brown as a partner?
SB: “I think AJ Brown is one of my favorite teammates, one of my favorite people I’ve ever had.” (Kids will come up to me and say) how do you feel about AJ being sold?
“I’m going to miss him. I feel that way about any teammate we lose. AJ is a smart player, a smart man. He’s going to be missed. But that’s football. You have to adapt.
“I’m happy for him. He’s in a place he loves and I know he’s been a Patriots fan for a long time. He’s got to do what’s best for him and his family. And we’ve got to do what’s best for us.”
USAT: What does it mean to be part of a team (of top running backs)?
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SB: “It’s an honor to be a part of that team, a lot of those guys I respect. We compete. We all compete. I want everybody to do well. I want to be the best. But I also want to be better by winning the championship, so whatever that means, anyway, at the end of the day – if we hold Lombardi, Lombardi wins.”
USAT: Any message on LeBron joining the Sixers?
SB: “I missed this: some of the best golf in the world. I’m probably a 7 or 8 handicap, maybe an 8 … he’s going to get some good golf. I know he’s into the golf thing. He’s a little bit addicted. Welcome to the family. That would be my last words to him.”
This article first appeared in USA TODAY: Saquon Barkley on missing AJ Brown, another new OC and that hurdle | Special
