Saquon Barkley has been an elite player for the New York Giants for several years. He was poised to hit the free-agent market after the team decided not to franchise tag him. The running back didn’t lose hope amid the struggles of the players in his spot.
Barkley ultimately found his new destination with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants head coach, Brain Daboll, still has a huge amount of respect for his former player. Meanwhile, for Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, the acquisition of Barkley brings new excitement to the squad.
Nick Sirianni lavishes praise on Saquon Barkley
Nick Sirianni has expressed his admiration for Saquon Barkley at a press conference held at the NovaCare Complex. He said the RB’s arrival signaled a fresh chapter for both player and team while lauding his dynamic skill set as both a runner and a pass catcher.
“I’m really excited about Saquon and the things that he can do… He’s going to bring an element to our offense and to our team. As much as we see him, all the highlights that we see on the tape.. he’s a good leader and teammate as well. To be able to add that into our locker room and not only the playmaking ability, but the person is really important”, Nick Sirianni said Sunday via NBC Sports.
The sentiment is understandable, considering Philly’s history of facing Barkley on the opposing side for multiple seasons. Sirianni reflected on the relief of no longer having to strategize against Barkley, now that he is a part of the Eagles roster.
“How many times have I watched him on the opposite sideline and playing him two times this last year, three times the year before and two times the year before? It’s like man, we don’t have to play against that guy anymore, great, and he’s on our team, even more perfect. That’s exciting because we have seen him up close and personal. We just know how good of a football player he is.”
The addition of Saquon Barkley to the Eagles’ lineup significantly strengthens their offensive line. He is now part of a formidable group of players on the team, including A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and Jalen Hurts. With Kellen Moore now leading the offense, there is a lot of excitement surrounding Barkley’s role in the team’s strategies.
Saquon Barkley 2023 NFL season stats
In the 2023 season, Saquon Barkley recorded an impressive 962 rushing yards and scored six touchdowns on the ground. In addition to his impressive stat line, he made a significant impact not only with traditional running plays, but also with 280 receiving yards and four touchdowns.
The experienced player showcased his dominance on the field, outperforming the New York Jets by rushing for an impressive 128 yards on 36 carries. In the Week 11 game against the Washington Commanders, he showcased his heroics by accumulating 140 scrimmage yards and scoring two receiving touchdowns.
The running back has consistently proven himself to be a game-changer in his six NFL seasons with the Giants. He had three seasons surpassing 1,000 rushing yards. His knack for making big plays both on the ground and through the air was a vital asset for the Giants. He is now expected to deliver the same level of performance with the Eagles to uplift their already formidable offense.
