Eagles' Saquon Barkley reveals 'reality' about winning Super Bowl

Left tackle Jordan Mailata, quarterback Jalen Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni recently made it known they don't want to discuss the Philadelphia Eagles "defending" their Super Bowl crown or attempting to "repeat" as champions. 

Star running back Saquon Barkley expanded on such takes while speaking with reporters at training camp on Wednesday. 

"In reality, we were 2024 Super Bowl champions," Barkley explained, as shared by Johnny McGonigal of PennLive (h/t NJ.com). "The next season has nothing to do with the year in the past. That’s why you come here. It starts in (organized team activities), preparing ourselves in the offseason. Now in camp, it’s getting the team together to try to make another run."

One wouldn't blame Barkley for still enjoying some victory laps this summer coming off the best campaign, to date, of his pro career. He led the league with 2,283 yards from scrimmage en route to earning Offensive Player of the Year Award honors. During an event that took place on July 18, he received a Super Bowl ring for the first time. 

"...It was cool to have the moment," Barkley said about the ring ceremony. "...I’m not a guy who’s going to walk around with it all the time. But it’s a beautiful thing that you have. Every single time you talk about that year, you’ll have something to show for it."

While with the New York Giants from 2018-23, Barkley played in two playoff games and just one postseason win. He's now part of a franchise that features the reigning Super Bowl MVP (Hurts) and that is expected to once again be in championship conversations come January. 

As of Thursday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Eagles third among the betting favorites at +700 odds to win Super Bowl LX. Pursuing such a goal is one reason Barkley feels it's "easy" to turn the page from the previous season. 

"That’s the nature of this game," Barkley added. "That’s the nature of this business. What have you done for me lately? Whether you win a Super Bowl, have a great year, you’re All-Pro, what you did the year prior has nothing to do with this year coming up."

Barkley and Co. will start what they hope will become a new championship journey when the Eagles open the upcoming campaign with a prime-time home game versus the rival Dallas Cowboys on Sept. 4.