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Saquon Barkley's comments on Andrew Mukuba reveal Eagles' locker room standard

Originally posted on Inside the Iggles | By Gourab Saha | Last updated Sep 15, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The ball just seems to find Andrew Mukuba. It’s like a hitter locked in during a late-season pennant race; everything just looks like a fastball. For the Philadelphia Eagles, that innate ability to be around the pigskin is becoming their most valuable currency.

On a Sunday in Kansas City, that talent turned the tide. Andrew Mukuba, the rookie safety, wasn't just playing a game. He was living an NFL fairytale, complete with a brutal reality check and a storybook ending. His journey through four quarters exposed the very heart of this new-look Eagles team. Now, Tom Brady awarded Saquon Barkley the LFG Player of the Game on the NFL on FOX postgame show.

Their conversation, however, kept circling back to the rookie. "The rookie safety Makuba, the pick, runs it back 45 yards. What were you doing when you saw that? Did you lose your mind?" Brady asked. Barkley’s comments were playful but pointed. "Of course, I was losing my mind," Barkley said of Mukuba's interception. "Maybe I got to teach him a little bit how to take it to the house."

The real insight came next. Barkley promised, "I'm definitely going to give him some stuff in the locker room for getting tackled by an offensive lineman." This wasn't just ribbing a new guy in a playful manner. It was a veteran establishing a standard. In Philly, even game-changing plays are held to the highest standard. Hence, excellence is the bare minimum.

Mukuba's Meteoric Momentum

Mukuba’s day was a rollercoaster. He announced his presence early, blitzing untouched to share a sack on Patrick Mahomes with Za'Darius Smith. Then came the rookie moments. Mahomes targeted him, using Travis Kelce to exploit a coverage for a significant gain before later trucking through him for a first down. The NFL can humble you fast.

But the Eagles' culture is built on resilience. Veterans like Reed Blankenship were in Mukuba’s ear, reinforcing confidence. This support system allowed the rookie to reset at halftime. He came out and made a critical stop on a third down, setting the stage for his iconic moment. What would he do with his next opportunity?

The answer came with the Chiefs on the Philadelphia six-yard line. A pass bobbled off Kelce’s hands and, true to form, found Mukuba. His 41-yard interception return flipped the game, leading to the Eagles' decisive touchdown.

Eagles rookie Andrew Makuba is EVERYWHERE to start the year #AndrewMakuba INT on the Travis Kelce possible TD#Eagles rookie also has a half sack + QB Hit and 4 tackles vs Chiefs

pic.twitter.com/ljozrIKLzf
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) September 14, 2025

This win was a gritty, ugly, and beautiful declaration. The Eagles don’t just rely on stars; they build them. They trust their process and their rookies to make season-defining plays. Mukuba isn’t just a player; he’s a testament to a system where everyone is pushed to be great.

Mukuba’s locker already holds the ball, scuffed and striped. He says sooner or later he’ll feel “really, really comfortable, and it’s gonna be scary.” The rest of the league just felt the first shiver.

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

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