Eagles Training Camp Notes: Saquon Barkley wants to give his all and be great

With the preseason entering its third and final week of contests, there has been limited game-day activity for Saquon Barkley and the rest of the Eagles’ first-team offense. Outside of last week’s shared practices against the New England Patriots, the main reps for the 27-year-old running back have come against his new buddies in Eagles-themed gear this summer.  With an international trip scheduled in two weeks, Nick Sirianni has opted against featuring his first team on offense during this August series of preseason games.  

This Saturday, the Eagles will return to the nest at Lincoln Financial Field for the final preseason matchup against Minnesota before that 12-hour flight to South America in September.  As a treat for the home supporters, Barkley may trot out in pads for limited action during the first series of the game. Philadelphia has yet to experience the game-day Saquon Barkley who carved up opposing teams for over 7,300 yards and 47 touchdowns over six seasons in New York. 

For the first time, many Eagles fans will actually be watching Saquon Barkley dart the football forward with his shifty footwork instead of mindlessly yelling for the defense to rip the head off the former division rival running back. Birds fans can expect to find an elusive halfback who is nowhere near satisfied with his six-year NFL legacy:

“I just want to be great, man,” a determined Barkley responded. “ That’s it. I just want to take it to the highest level I can take it. That’s my goal…. I’m not going to stop. I’m going to keep trying. Sometimes, you know, the reality of it is a lot of people don’t get to reach their full potential. At the end of the day, I know I can put my all into it, and (if) I don’t reach it, I know I will be happy.” 

Saquon Barkley would be familiar with the mindset that drove Philadelphia-born basketball legend Kobe Bryant to greatness after being born about a 90-minute drive outside the city. For those who might not be familiar with the attitude, Bryant authored a book called The Mamba Mentality: How I Play following his retirement from the basketball court. Barkley referenced the title-winning, work ethic-based mindset that Kobe Bryant shared in his best-seller: 

“In my mind, it’s come out and be the best version of myself,” Barkley said following a long weekend practice. “Kind of have that Mamba mentality, push myself every single day. Go out and try to win games, compete at the highest level, and win championships.”

Barkley arrives in Philadelphia following a 2023 season for the New York Giants that went awry at 6-11. The Penn State star feels he has the talent surrounding him to progress towards those lofty Super Bowl-winning goals starting with Week One in San Paulo, Brazil.

“Not trying to sound cocky or anything like that but the tape speaks for itself,” Barkly responded confidently to the assembled media. “I am just trying to elevate on that… expand my game. I feel like I’ve done a lot of great things in the league, even with battling through injuries… felt like I made a name for myself. With this offense and the guys I have around me… I’m (gonna) continue to be able to do that.” 

Saquon Barkley is expected to provide a dynamic new element to the Eagles backfield on September 6 when the Eagles play the Green Bay Packers for a Week One Friday night showdown in Brazil. Even though the flock of players will be in South America, the Eagles are hosting a kick-off party providing a “game day-like” experience at Lincoln Financial Field for Barkley’s first official game wearing Midnight Green. 

Can Saquon be his best self with the Eagles?