Saquon Barkley was among the most prominent names to change teams this NFL offseason.
The star running back wasted no time in proving why the Eagles struck gold in free agency. The 27-year-old broke out for three touchdowns in his first game in a Philadelphia uniform.
Barkley spent the first six seasons of his career running behind a bad Giants offensive line. He struggled to stay healthy during his tenure in New York, missing multiple games in three of those seasons.
When Barkley signed with the Eagles, he joined the most talented offense of his career. He immediately reaped the benefits of the strong offensive line and talented weapons around him, finishing with a monster game against the Packers in his Philly debut.
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Saquon Barkley stats vs. Packers
FINAL: Eagles 34, Packers 29
- Carries: 24
- Rushing yards: 109
- Rushing TDs: 2
- Receptions: 2
- Receiving yards: 23
- Receiving TDs: 1
Saquon Barkley’s explosive Eagles debut
Barkley slipped on the turf at Corinthians Arena on his first carry in an Eagles uniform. That could have been seen as a bad omen, but it ended up being just a blip on the radar.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft looked like the superstar he was hyped to be. Running behind the best offensive line of his career by far, Barkley looked like a runaway freight train between the tackles and a jackrabbit in the open field.
His first touchdown flashed his versatility as a pass catcher. He burned a Packers linebacker on a wheel route, and quarterback Jalen Hurts capitalized by throwing a dime to Barkley in the end zone.
HURTS TO SAQUON FOR THE @EAGLES FIRST TD!
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/WeEql9w1Ed
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
Later in the first half, Barkley put the Eagles back in front with a burst of an 11-yard touchdown run, which saw him dash untouched into the end zone.
SAQUON BARKLEY AGAIN.
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/ooiRMZQYRy
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
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He hobbled off the field on the final possession of the second quarter and didn’t return until after the halftime break. But upon his return, it was clear that Barkley wasn’t hampered by an injury.
He plowed his way into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day to put the Eagles in front — again — in the third quarter. His biggest chunk play of the day looked like he was shot out of a cannon, nearly making a house call on a 34-yard dash.
Saquon Barkley is having one of the greatest team debuts of all time.
📺: #GBvsPHI on Peacock pic.twitter.com/Hvx7tUzGkI
— NFL (@NFL) September 7, 2024
Barkley’s breakout game caught the attention of football fans everywhere, with superstars like LeBron James and his former Giants teammate Odell Beckham Jr. taking to social media in awe of the stud running back.
“OMG SAQUON SO DAMN QUICK/FAST!!!!!!! SO GOOD MAN! @saquon” James wrote on X.
“I’m tellin ya! 26 one of the craziest I seen to put on them cleatsss,” OBJ posted with two crying emojis. “…. He finnna go Krazy.”
Barkley became the first Eagles player to have three touchdowns in a debut since Terrell Owens in 2004. He was also the first Eagles player with over 100 rushing yards and three touchdowns in a game since LeSean McCoy in 2011.
It took all of one game for Philadelphia to cash in on stealing the best player from their NFC East division rival.
