Eagles' Saquon Barkley Wants 'To Say F--k Everybody' over Doubts He Can Have Strong Year at 29

Coming off a down season in 2025, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has high expectations for himself going into the new year.

Speaking to The Athletic's Zach Berman, Barkley said there's part of him that wants "to say f--k everybody" who doesn't think he's capable of having one of the best years of his career entering his age-29 season.

"The competitor in me, who I am to the core, I want to say 'F— everybody. You don't think I'm able to put myself in that category?'" Barkley said. "Why can't I put myself in that category for another five more years? That's the mentality I have."

Barkley's 1,140 rushing yards last season were nearly half of his 2024 output when he became the ninth running back in NFL history to break the 2,000-yard barrier (2,005 yards).

Some of the decline can be attributed to the heavy workload Barkley had in 2024. He had 482 touches between the regular season and playoffs. The single-season record for touches is 492, set by James Wilder in 1984.

Barkley's rushing success rate dropped from 52.5 percent in 2024 to 46.1 in 2025.

A longer offseason, combined with the Eagles changing their offense — Sean Mannion is replacing Kevin Patullo as coordinator — has Barkley feeling rejuvenated as he goes into his ninth NFL season.

"Being a better playmaker," Barkley told ESPN's Tim McManus about his goals for 2026. "That's why I was brought here, that's what I feel I'm one of the best in the league [at] and just bringing that back."

Running back has historically been a younger player's position. Of the 17 players who ran for at least 1,000 yards last year, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey were the only two in their age-29 or older season.

Adrian Peterson in 2015 is the last player to lead the NFL in rushing yards at age 29 or older.

Barkley absolutely belongs in the same category as players like Peterson, Henry and McCaffrey. A new year in a new zone-oriented system could be the thing that gets him back to being one of the elite running backs in the NFL.

The Eagles will be counting on Barkley as they look to make up for some of the production they lost by trading A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots in the offseason.

Barkley and the Eagles will open the 2026 season on Sunday when they host the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field.