The Philadelphia Eagles begin their title defense in 2025 not only with the pressure of being the defending Super Bowl champions, but with a roster anchored by one of the NFL’s most dynamic talents. Saquon Barkley, after six years with the New York Giants, joined Philadelphia as a free agent in 2024—and immediately transformed the offense. Barkley exploded for a career year, posting 2,005 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on 345 carries, earning his first Offensive Player of the Year award, third Pro Bowl selection, and helping the Eagles claim their second Super Bowl title in franchise history.

 

As Philadelphia reloads for another championship run, attention is quickly turning to rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell, the No. 31 overall pick out of Alabama in the 2025 NFL Draft. Barkley’s eye-opening praise for Campbell has become one of the biggest stories of Eagles training camp, fueling excitement around a Philadelphia defense that ranked seventh in the NFL in opponent points per game last season (17.8).

NBC Sports Philly’s Reuben Frank captured Barkley’s comments in a recent feature, where Barkley did not hesitate to heap praise on the rookie.

“Super raw, like freaky athletic,” he told Frank Tuesday, “and he's going to be a problem, a real big problem for a lot of guys in the league who have to go against him and block him.”

The veteran running back even compared Campbell’s build and upside to Dallas Cowboys superstar Micah Parsons, further heightening the buzz—especially with Philadelphia set to open the season against Dallas.