Why Saquon Barkley is better with the Birds

One of the biggest moves this offseason was Saquon Barkley signing a three year contract worth $37.75 million with the Philadelphia Eagles leaving the division rival Giants.

The Giants struggled to afford Barkley after signing Daniel Jones to a four year contract worth $160 million putting them in a tough spot with the cap.

In his six years with the Giants, he played a single full season, but had 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns rushing.

He tacked on another 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air with an Offensive Rookie of the Year and making the Pro Bowl twice in his tenure.

He was a hot commodity when he hit free agency and the Giants made it known they weren’t going in on him. The Eagles jumped on the opportunity immediately with D’Andre Swift leaving in free agency just days before.

Barkley has been off to a stellar start this season with 925 yards and six touchdowns on the ground along with another 146 yards and two touchdowns through the air.

Barkley is on pace for just under 2,000 yards rushing and around 12 touchdowns by the end of the regular season.

Coming to the Eagles, many worried about his injury history and if he was overpaid. He has proved through eight games, he was worth every cent.

The biggest reason he has seen so much success in Philadelphia is the offensive line in front of him.

The Giants have struggled on the line with their 2020 first round tackle Andrew Thomas being injury ridden his entire career and their 2022 first round tackle Evan Neal being benched due to his lack of his success.

They have yet to get a solid name on the interior line. Barkley would have to avoid at least one tackle as soon as he was given the ball and had no space to work.

The Eagles have the complete opposite with a top five offensive line in the league each of the past five years. Along with depth at the line led by the best offensive line coach in the league in Jeff Stoutland.

He has time to build speed and hit his hole with 10 yards of speed and power as opposed to having to start and stop.

In New York, Barkley was the only offensive threat. Any defense could lock onto him knowing that they didn’t have another player that could hurt them. He is in a star studded offense in Philadelphia.

AJ Brown and Devonta Smith have each had 1,000 yard receiving seasons each of the past two seasons. Despite injuries, Dallas Goedert poses a threat as a great receiver and blocker at tight end.

Jalen Hurts holds the keys to the ability of this offense with how he performs. When at his best, he has been a runner up for MVP, but when at his worst, he is one of the most turnover prone players in the league.

Hurts excels at the deep pass and using his legs as a weapon. He could be a top five quarterback if he stayed consistent.

Barkley is now just one piece in a five player threat which opens up the offense not only for him, but he opens up the offense for everyone else.

His ability to break big gains has been evident with four rushes over 40 yards this season. Two of those coming against his former team.

Visibly he looks like a better running back with the Eagles. He is running harder in between the tackles, he is breaking bigger runs and he looks harder to tackle.

Giants owner John Mara said how hard it would be to see Barkley in an Eagles uniform.

Barkley has been nightmare fuel on the field to not only the Giants, but every other team they’ve played and the season is just approaching the halfway point.

Tristan Kunec is a fourth-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email tqk5432@psu.edu.