Saquon Barkley delivers “exciting” Eagles debut in win over Green Bay

Philadelphia Eagles fans already knew what running back Saquon Barkley was about before he signed with the team as a free agent, but just in case they forget, Barkley delivered an exciting debut with the team on Friday night in Sao Paolo, Brazil.

Barkley totaled 132 combined yards and three touchdowns in the Eagles’ 34-29 season-opening victory on Friday. He became the first Eagles player to contribute three touchdowns in his team debut since Terrell Owens did in 2004, joining elite company in that list.

“He had a hell of a game tonight,” Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts said. “It’s exciting to watch him play. I’m happy that he’s on our side. Just going to keep pressing forward. But what a debut for him.”

Barkley’s first touchdown came in the second quarter on an 18-yard catch in the corner of the end zone. Hurts did extremely well to find the veteran tailback amid two defenders covering him and Barkley was able to keep two feet in for the 7-6 Eagles lead.

After Green Bay recaptured the lead not long after, Barkley delivered his first rushing touchdown, finding space throughout he Eagles line before cutting past Xavier McKinney and finding pay dirt.

“From the first catch, he was just balling,” Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson said. “Every time he scored, I was hauling ass up there trying to celebrate with him.”

Saquon Barkley Hat Trick.

we repeat….

SAQUON BARKLEY HAT TRICK 🎩 pic.twitter.com/LiVM0PHCIV

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 7, 2024

Both teams continued to trade points as the game pushed forward and Barkley would have the final touchdown of the game to put Philadelphia up for good. His two-yard pounding run with 4:26 remaining in the third quarter made it 31-26 Eagles, a lead that wouldn’t slip away from Nick Sirianni’s team.

Brayden Narveson and Jake Elliott traded field goals for the final time as the Eagles claimed the five-point victory.

Barkley, who registered only six total touchdowns in his final season with the New York Giants in 2023, is already halfway to reaching that mark after his first 60 minutes with the Eagles. The six-year pro looks to have fit right into Kellen Moore’s offensive plans and Barkley admitted the specialness of playing with so many talented teammates.

“I think it’s so special that out of all the guys we have on this team that’s so talented, and today might have been my day scoring touchdowns, it was never no hate, no none of that,” Barkley said. “It was like, ‘Go ahead, go get four.’ That’s what you need with a team like this that has so many stars. It’s going to continue be like that going into the season.”

The Eagles will return home for a Week 2 Sunday Night Football showdown with the Atlanta Falcons.