Jalen Hurts Preseason Message to Saquon Barkley Resurfaces

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Treppedi | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 11:51 AM ET

Six months can feel like a lifetime ago when an NFL franchise goes from preseason question marks to a Super Bowl title.

After Saquon Barkley had signed a three-year deal worth $37.75 with the Philadelphia Eagles, the franchise ranked No. 5 on ESPN's preseason power rankings. This was following a collapse in the 2023 Wild Card Round (after starting the season 10-0) and a Super Bowl loss in 2022.

Barkley, who was 27 at the time, was doubted as to whether he would return to full form again after nursing injuries in his last few seasons with the New York Giants.

A foreshadowing moment between Barkley and Jalen Hurts during training camp resurfaced that brings the journey full circle.

"Aye, you think you fearless?" Barkley said to Hurts while waiting in between drills.

"Fearless?" Hurts replied. "Absolutely. You got some (expletive) you're gonna worry about, but you had to check yourself. You either gonna pray or you gonna worry. You can't do both. God got it. God know I work too. Shouldn't be (expletive) to fear when you done already put the work in. I come ready."

Back in August, @JalenHurts shared his fearless mindset with @Saquon ️(via @Eagles) pic.twitter.com/apIHGayRxU
— NFL (@NFL) February 13, 2025

Hurts, who was the recipient of public doubt dating back to growing pains from his college days at Alabama, took a step back statistically in 2024, but progressed forward as a leader that executed with poise in the playoffs.

The Super Bowl LIX MVP was nearly flawless in commanding the offense to a suffocating lead on the Kansas City Chiefs that resulted in a 40-22 victory.

Barkley proceeded to post the single greatest rushing season in franchise history and came 101 yards away from setting the all-time NFL single-season rushing record with 2,005 total.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: