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Saquon Barkley rejects Jalen Hurts' superiority before landing Presidential honor

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Saquon Barkley walks into the Eagles facility like a man carrying a weight... the weight of expectation. Philadelphia craves another Lombardi. The air crackles with anticipation. And maybe a hint of iron from the weight room. What fuels this potential dynasty? Hint: It starts with freakish strength and a playful rivalry.

That rivalry has now spilled out publicly. When asked point-blank on the "New Heights" podcast who squats more, him or Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley didn't hesitate.

The Verdict

"That's not even close," he declared. Travis Kelce pressed, "Jalen's got you?" Barkley shot back, "No." He elaborated, recalling his squat-off prime: "I don't do that no more. But like when I was like really in that mindset of squatting and like squat-off, like I'll put myself up there with a lot of people."

The clip of him effortlessly handling 585 pounds in the pros said more than words. But he tipped his cap. "Jalen's strong... He's probably the strongest quarterback in the NFL... Ever." Suddenly, the Eagles' offensive potential felt nuclear. Just picture that raw power combining with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Brown himself gushed about Barkley's work ethic.

"Him pushing teammates in the weight room, that gets me excited," Brown stated. Clearly, Barkley didn't just join the team last season... he was amplifying its culture. Now, fast forward to May 13, 2025.

Fresh off an NFL record 2,504 rushing yards and a Super Bowl ring, Barkley casually dropped another video. There he was, repping 585 pounds again, his teammates roaring. This wasn't just showing off. It was a statement timed perfectly. The NFL was once again voting on banning the Eagles' infamous "Tush Push." Coincidence? Eagles fans chuckled.

Hurts, having done 600 squats during his college days, watches from the side. The quarterback probably grins, but the alpha flare is real.

Hurts commands 55 career rushing touchdowns. And Barkley’s legs, combined with Hurts’ 600-pound squat, are the engine to the Eagles' unstoppable play. Critics call it a cheat code. The Eagles see it as the payoff for building a roster of human bulldozers. And with Barkley looking hungrier than ever, the entire league shudders. What else could this powerhouse achieve?

SaQuads & Statecraft: Barkley's Presidential Pedigree

The answer arrived with unexpected prestige. President Donald Trump signed an executive order. An order revitalizing the Presidential Fitness Test and the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition. Among the elite athletes named? Barkley.

The Eagles star joined legends like Jack Nicklaus, Wayne Gretzky, and Roger Goodell on the council tasked with promoting youth fitness and restoring "tradition to college athletics." While Barkley didn't attend the signing (unlike Bryson DeChambeau or Lawrence Taylor), his appointment capped an incredible year.

It recognized not just his on-field dominance but also his stature as a fitness icon. The White House stated the council would "champion access to fitness and healthy living for all Americans." Barkley, whose legendary "SaQuads" symbolize peak athletic power, embodies that mission perfectly.

His journey from playful weight-room banter to national recognition is complete. From playfully dismissing Hurts' squat supremacy to hoisting the Lombardi and now landing a White House role, Barkley's Philly chapter is a masterclass in impact.

In the end, Barkley flips the script. He rejects the idea that the quarterback owns the weight room crown. His brute strength fuels the Eagles' most feared play. Then he swaps the crown for a presidential lapel pin. Meanwhile, his leadership galvanizes the locker room.

Nick Sirianni's brigade aims for a repeat. And Barkley’s tree-trunk legs and elevated platform give everyone a reminder... true strength shapes destinies, on the field and beyond.

This article first appeared on Inside the Iggles and was syndicated with permission.

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