Eagles’ Saquon Barkley opens up on taking leadership role amid Philly’s woes appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Philadelphia Eagles find themselves in uncharted territory after dropping their fifth consecutive game, a 38-21 defeat to the rival Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football. Now sitting at a dismal 2-5 record, the frustration inside the locker room is mounting. Yet, amidst the growing list of injuries, star running back Saquon Barkley is choosing to step into an expanded leadership role.
Barkley returned to the lineup Monday night after missing two games with a right hamstring injury. He made an immediate impact, rushing for 62 yards and an eight-yard touchdown on seven carries while adding two receptions for nine yards. However, he exited in the fourth quarter with a compensatory back issue after tweaking his hamstring on his opening carry.
With starting quarterback Jalen Hurts sidelined by injury, Philadelphia lacked its primary vocal leader on the field. Recognizing the gravity of the team’s crisis, Barkley broke from his usual routine after the loss and addressed the entire locker room postgame.
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“I’m not really a big talker, to be honest. Felt like the moment was right,” Barkley said. “I feel like you just never quit. You never give up. You just keep fighting, no matter what… We put ourselves in this situation. We gotta dig ourselves out of it.”
Barkley acknowledged that without Hurts available, other veterans must step up and use their voice. Left tackle Jordan Mailata and other core pillars must help carry the emotional weight.
“I know that I gotta take more of a role of being vocal, using my voice,” Barkley added. “I’m more of a lead-by-example type of guy, but it happens when you have guys banged up, and a guy like Jalen, who’s really basically the vocal leader. It’s gonna take me and Jordan, all of us to kind of fill that void.”
The Philadelphia Eagles face a steep climb, but Barkley believes this squad possesses the resolve required to turn their season around.