It didn't take Saquon Barkley long to make a big impact in his first season with the Eagles. The former Giants running back impressed his new teammates with his three-touchdown performance in the season opener against the Packers.
Barkley had 109 yards and two touchdowns on the ground and caught two more passes for 23 yards and a touchdown in a 34–29 win in Brazil. Will Shipley called Barkley's performance “incredible.” According to NBC Sports Philadelphia.
“I'm just smiling here because of how special he is,” running back Shipley told the outlet. “I've seen him do well through camp and OTAs and stuff, but this is the first time I've seen him go out there and see it for myself. He shined tonight, which I'm really happy for. He works so hard and he deserves to shine as much as anyone.”
Barkley signed a three-year contract with the Eagles on the first day of free agency in March, ending a six-year tenure with the Giants that was certainly successful (Barkley had three seasons with over 1,000 yards) but also a somewhat bitter ending that involved contract negotiations, the franchise tag and ultimately a one-year deal for the 2023 season.
So he went to the Eagles and the Giants pivoted to Devin Singletary, but it remained a big talking point throughout the offseason, especially with “Hard Knocks” detailing conversations between general manager Joe Sean, owner John Mara and Barkley about the impending decision on the franchise's cornerstone player, set to carry over into the first regular season on Oct. 20.
“He's one of those guys that I've watched from afar in New York,” offensive lineman Lane Johnson said. He told NBC Sports Philadelphia“And I never expected him to be here.”
Barkley reached the end zone early in the second quarter and completed an 18-yard pass for his first touchdown, then scored another rushing touchdown later in the quarter.
Then, late in the third quarter, Barkley ran the ball in from two yards out to give the Eagles their final touchdown of the game and retake the lead.
“We know he's a great player,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts told reporters. “He had a great game tonight. It's exciting to watch him play. We're happy to have him on our side. It's just going to continue to move forward. It was a great debut for him.”
Barkley and the Eagles are next scheduled to host the Falcons on Sept. 16.
