NFL Legend Sends Message to Eagles' Saquon Barkley
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Coming off a career year with the Philadelphia Eagles, Saquon Barkley shocked the football world with comments about his future. Following his viral remarks, one NFL legend sent a message to the star running back.
While making an appearance on Chris Long's "Green Light" podcast, Barkley gave his thoughts on his runway in the NFL. He hinted at having an abrupt retirement similar to his mentor and idol Barry Sanders.
"I'll probably be one of those guys that it'll be out of nowhere. I'll probably just wake up one day, whether it's next year or two years or four years, and just be like, 'Yeah it's over,'" Barkley said.
Seeing that he won a Super Bowl and nearly made history with the Eagles last season, these comments threw many people for a loop. After hearing what the reigning Offensive Player of the Year had to say, Sanders himself decided to chime in on the topic.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19,...
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the Los Angeles Rams during the second quarter in the NFC Divisional Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More
Read more: Eagles Star Reflects on Drastic Change in His Offseason Approach
During a recent interview with CBS, Sanders sent a message to Barkley regarding his retirement remarks. He likes what he sees from the Eagles back on the field, and doesn't want to see him hang up his cleats anytime soon.
"You should stick around for a little while. As a fan, I'm enjoying watching him play," Sanders said. "I still see him as still being very young. I'm excited with what he's been able to do in Philadelphia, and really, just his journey. He was written off by the Giants, and to see the kind of year he had last year, I know he still has a lot of great years left in him."
Sanders also applauded his fit on a loaded Eagles roster and hopes his comments were just feelings in the moment and will change over time.
"Sometimes, players feel that [way], and once they get into camp and into the season, they feel different," he continued. "Philadelphia feels like a great place, a great home for him, so hopefully it's just sort of a temporary thing that he's experiencing, that he'll continue to enjoy the success there with that great team that they've assembled."
Read more: Eagles Star Makes Bold Statement Ahead of 2025 NFL Season
During minicamp, Barkley provided reassurance to the Eagles fanbase. When asked what he said to Long, he stated that he has no plans on ending his career in the near future.
Saquon Barkley: 'I don't plan on retiring anytime soon.' https://t.co/BOLHlMvZXH — Zach Berman (@ZBerm) June 10, 2025
With all the retirement talk laid to rest, Barkley can get back to preparing to follow up his strong first season in Philadelphia.
For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NBC Sports
30 minutes ago
- NBC Sports
Rodgers could bridge 'culture gap' with production
Former NFL quarterback and current analyst Mark Sanchez joins the Dan Patrick Show to discuss expectations for Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Trey Hendrickson's contract situation in Cincinnati and more.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
How Can Russell Wilson Unlock Promising NY Giants Player?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The presence of Russell Wilson during spring practices has done wonders for New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt. While it's still way too early to bank on Hyatt being a big-time contributor for the Giants in 2025, the 23-year-old is certainly turning heads at OTAs and minicamp. Recently, Wilson revealed he's not exactly surprised at the fact that Hyatt looks like he's progressing in a big way. The veteran quarterback mentioned that he saw Hyatt perform at a high level at Tennessee and even on tape during his previous runs with the Giants. After two seasons in the NFL, Hyatt still has plenty to prove. So far, the former third-round pick has struggled to live up to being a First-Team All-SEC recipient and a Bilentinikoff Award winner in the NFL. During his rookie season, Hyatt caught 23 passes for 373 yards. Last season, he had eight catches for 62 yards. Heading into year three, Hyatt has yet to find the end zone. Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants during a New York Giants practice session at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 12, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Russell Wilson #3 of the New York Giants during a New York Giants practice session at NY Giants Quest Diagnostics Training Center on June 12, 2025 in East Rutherford, New can Wilson help him hit his stride? The veteran quarterback recently issued his thoughts. "I think that the biggest thing is just consistency that I can bring to him every day too and just making sure that I'm always giving him the extra opportunities down the field, but also not just down the field, but in any play we've got and spending extra time on the field," Wilson told reporters this week, via Giants Wire. "He's got great work ethic, Jalin does, and I think he's got a great grit to him. I think that he wants to be great every day, and he's got all the special pieces to it all." Work ethic is half the battle in the NFL, and a little increase in opportunities can go a long way for a young player looking to find a steady role. Right now, the Giants are practicing without the top wideout, Malik Nabers. As Wilson's top target recovers from a toe injury, Hyatt has taken advantage of the increased workload, putting it all together with his new quarterback. So far, Wilson is impressed. "I think what makes a great receiver is his ability to catch the ball and contest the situations—he does a great job of that, and he's got a great opportunity, in my opinion, this year to really set the tone in a great way," Wilson finished. "I've got all the belief in Jalin and who he's going to be and what he's going to mean to us and make clutch plays for us when it really matters in great way. I'm excited for what he's going to do this year and the rest of his career." For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
35 minutes ago
- Newsweek
Eagles Star Revealed Impactful Advice From Peyton Manning
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. When the 2025 NFL season gets started, the Philadelphia Eagles understand they'll have a target on their backs. Being that they are entering the season as the most recent Super Bowl Champions, they know they are likely to get every team's best shot. Dallas Goedert and several veterans on the roster don't want to get overly confident. While they know they have the talent to make a deep run and hoist the Lombardi trophy, the Eagles want to maintain their trademark underdog mindset. The veteran tight end recently revealed the Eagles reached out to the legendary quarterback Peyton Manning to "pick his brain" on how to stay motivated throughout the year, knowing you're the champs. Manning offered a unique story about what he did in the past. "He would make fake quotes and put them in the locker room because nobody was saying that they were bad or they beat them," Goedert said. "So he put, 'My receiver can't get off a press.' He would put that in his receiver's locker. [The receiver would say], 'Are you serious, he said that?!' It's just finding different ways to keep yourself motivated when the negative isn't coming at you." 'He would make fake quotes and put them in the locker room' 😂 -Dallas Goedert says he and 10-15 Eagles on the leadership council spoke with 2 time Super Bowl champ Peyton Manning to pick his brain about how to repeat as champs. Peyton says you have to find motivation when… — John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) June 18, 2025 Manning had a career that spanned from 1998 to 2015. He had stints with the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, winning a Super Bowl with each organization. Head coach Peyton Manning of the AFC during the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on January 30, 2025 at the UCF Campus in Orlando, Florida. Head coach Peyton Manning of the AFC during the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on January 30, 2025 at the UCF Campus in Orlando, his career, Manning was a multi-time Offensive Player of the Year, Pro Bowler, All-Pro, NFL MVP, and a one-time Super Bowl MVP. As a former first-overall pick, Manning entered the league with high expectations, and surely met them as he entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021. While the Eagles might have to search to find bulletin board material to stay motivated this year, it won't take long to find what they are seeking. Since the Eagles made the run to accomplish their first Super Bowl in 2017-2018, they were famously considered underdogs, despite being the top seed in the NFC. The Eagles might look a lot different since that underdog team, but they have reasons to carry the same mentality. Since the start of the Jalen Hurts era, the Eagles have struggled to be considered true contenders to the public. They used that as fuel this past season and ended the year on the highest note possible. Soon, we'll see if Manning's advice goes to good use. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
