Saquon Barkley’s stunning first season in Philadelphia has come as no surprise to the Eagles’ general manager Howie Roseman.
Barkley joined as a free agent on a three-year, $38million deal from the New York Giants in the offseason and has played a huge part in Philadelphia reaching this Sunday’s Super Bowl in New Orleans.
The 27-year-old has scored 18 touchdowns this season, including the playoffs, and stands just 30 yards short of Terrell Davis’ record for most rushing yards in a season (2,476) including the postseason.
A special talent since Week 1 👏
Your @Toyota Player of the Year is none other than Saquon Barkley!Relive the moments 👉 https://t.co/oW76hjwytd#ToyotaPOW | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/jHtCwLL5uI
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) February 2, 2025
“[He has been a] huge, huge player and person for this team. And [signing him was] not a hard trigger to pull. I think I’m being consistent with what I said in March – was extremely confident in the player and the person,” Roseman said.
“I’d like to say he’s exceeded expectations, but he’s always been one of the best players I’ve ever seen whenever I’ve watched him and I have always known about what kind of person he is because it’s not hard to find that out.
“So I’m really not surprised by any of this, and I don’t say that in an arrogant way, it’s based on who he is, nothing to do with me, because this is who he’s always been. And I’m just glad everyone gets to see that.”
Eagles looking to overcome dominant Chiefs
This weekend, the Eagles come up against the Kansas City Chiefs, who are hoping to become the first team ever to win three successive Super Bowls.
One of their successes, in 2023, came against the Eagles and Roseman is full of admiration for Andy Reid’s team.
“They’re the best of the best. First you’ve got to think about your division, then you’ve got to think about your conference, then you’ve got to think about how you’re winning a world championship,” he added.
“I used to, before everything got automated, have the final four teams in my office. And I used to, some days, look and I’d go, how do we compare there? Now I think it’s like in my head, you know, the Chiefs are in my head.
“But I think you have to think about how to beat the best. It’s hard. It’s really hard, as you’re putting something together.”
