By Avnish Singh 
Wow, what a night for Saquon Barkley! The Eagles wrapped up their South American trip with a bang, and after scoring a hat trick on Friday night, Barkley shared his thoughts on the experience. He was pumped—said playing in Brazil was “incredible,” and expressed his thanks to the NFL for making it happen. You could feel the energy radiating through his words. The crowd, the moment—it all hit different for him, especially knowing he was the first player to ever score a touchdown in South America. That’s history right there.
Barkley didn’t shy away from talking about how challenging the game was, though. He admitted the Eagles didn’t start off great, struggled a bit in the beginning, but as the game went on, they found their rhythm. He gave major props to the offensive line, saying they were key not just in this game but also in his decision to sign with Philly this offseason. You could tell he was genuinely appreciative—said they made him look good, which is a classic Barkley move, giving credit to the guys up front. He even said, “It all starts there.”
When asked about his past with the Giants, Barkley kept it real. He didn’t want to dwell on it but admitted that leaving wasn’t easy. “I’m thankful for the last six years I had in New York,” he said. “I wouldn’t be the man I am today without that experience.” He even mentioned how Coach Brian Daboll had reached out before the game to wish him luck, a gesture that clearly meant a lot to him. Barkley said he still has great relationships with his old teammates and coaches, but right now, he’s just excited about his future with the Eagles.
Of course, Barkley isn’t one to rest on his laurels. He knows there’s a lot to work on—particularly in the four-minute offense. He’s already eager to dive into the game tape and clean up a few things. That’s the kind of mindset that wins championships. But even so, he couldn’t hide his excitement about this Eagles offense. With guys like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, Barkley said this is a team where anyone can have a big game. “This week, it happened to be me,” he said, “but honestly, I’m probably not even Top 3 of the guys defenses need to prepare for.” That’s a dangerous squad right there.
He had a cool moment reflecting on how his teammates rallied around him during the game. Even when it was clear Barkley was having his night, the rest of the offense wasn’t hunting for their own touches—they were trying to get him that fourth touchdown. That’s what Barkley loves most about this team: there’s no selfishness. “We all have one common goal, and I’m excited to be part of that.”
Barkley also commented on the field conditions in Brazil. He admitted he made a bit of a mistake during warm-ups—he felt comfortable and decided not to use the studs in his cleats. But once the game started and he got up to full speed, it was a different story. “After that first drive, I threw the studs on, got my footing right, and it was pretty okay from there,” he laughed.
Despite the number of Packers fans in the stadium, Barkley said the support from Eagles fans didn’t go unnoticed. They heard plenty of “Go Birds” chants, even in Brazil, and he’s already looking forward to playing in front of the home crowd in Philly next Monday night.
It’s safe to say, Saquon Barkley is settling into his new home just fine, and if this first game is any indicator, Eagles fans are in for one heck of a season.
