The Philadelphia Eagles star running back may be walking away from the game sooner than expected.
Saquon Barkley appeared on Chris Long’s podcast, “The Green Light”, and revealed what his retirement plans are going to look like.
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The newly-minted Madden cover athlete made some interesting comments on his future.
Advertisement Barkley turned 28 the day he became a Super Bowl champion.
The star running back for the Philadelphia Eagles might be leaving the game earlier than anticipated.
During an appearance on Chris Long’s podcast, “The Green Light,” Saquon Barkley shared his retirement plans.
Eagles fans, put your ear protection on.
Regarding his future, the recently promoted Madden cover athlete made some intriguing remarks.
Barkley stated, “I’ll probably be one of those guys that it will come as a surprise.”.
“Whether it’s next year, two years, or four years from now, I’ll probably just wake up and say, ‘Yeah, it’s over.'”. “.”.
“I don’t believe that passion will ever leave me. I’m merely a rival. The dot. The competitive spirit will always be present. “.”.
He talked about Barry Sanders, one of his favorite players, a fellow running back, and perhaps the best of all time, as he continued his remarks regarding retirement.
“Barry Sanders is probably my favorite player of all time, and he’s one of my favorite players of all time,” Barkley remarked.
Perhaps one day it will come as a surprise. I’ll most likely be having a great time and simply say, “Yeah,” and end the conversation. “..”.
At age 31, Sanders famously announced his sudden retirement.
He had been a member of the Detroit Lions for ten seasons, making the Pro Bowl every year and even taking home the MVP award once.
When Sanders chose to leave, he was still in control between the lines.
Sanders stated, “The reason I am retiring is very simple,” in 1999.
Leaving the game is more important to me than staying in it. “,”.
Naturally, Eagles supporters were not pleased with what they heard.
A fan wrote, “Saquon better not p*** me off today,” on X.
Another said, “I don’t like that you said next year, or two years @saquon.”.
One more person said, “I would be in shambles,”.
It’s difficult to envision Barkley leaving next season or even the year after, as he just finished one of the greatest individual seasons a running back has ever had and won a Super Bowl.
The day Barkley won a Super Bowl, he turned 28. Although he ran for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season, his performance in the postseason elevated him to the highest level of all-time individual seasons.
The former Giant turned Eagle helped Philadelphia win their second-ever Lombardi Trophy by rushing for 499 yards and five touchdowns in four games.
Other than Terrell Davis’ 581 and John Riggins’ 610, it was the third-highest number of rushing yards in a postseason ever.
Barkley ran for the most yards of any running back in the regular season and playoffs, totaling 2,504 yards.
Saquon was announced this week as the Madden cover athlete for this year.
Barkley’s incredible backwards hurdle over the Jacksonville Jaguars last season will be featured on the cover of Madden 26.
Barkley joins the 99-Club as the first offensive player in Eagles history.
He now has a 99 Madden rating, which is a very uncommon accomplishment.
The 28-year-old isn’t concerned about falling prey to the “Madden curse” after being chosen, though.
On the NFL Network show The Insiders, Tom Pelissero questioned Barkley about his belief in curses, particularly the one connected to his appearance on the Madden cover.
“Nah,” Barkley said, “I believe in God.”. “To be totally honest, that’s how I think. “..”.
During his first year in Philadelphia, Barkley showed no signs of slowing down.
It would be shocking if Barkley didn’t continue to play into his 30s, as he recently turned 28 and appears to be doing well in Philadelphia.
But you never know.
