Jul 23, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) addresses media during training camp at NovaCare Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
If Saquon Barkley wanted to be a captain for the Eagles this season, nobody would have a problem with it. Barkley couldn't have had a better first season in Philadelphia, rushing for over 2,000 yards in the regular season and helping bring the Eagles their second-ever Super Bowl.
Barkley's teammates speak glowingly of him and the impact he had with the Eagles. Him being a captain for the upcoming season was a possibility. However, it doesn't look like Barkley is worried about receiving that label. It's not because he's avoiding the responsibility. He just feels his impact is felt no matter what.
"I've had C's before. In New York we gave away too many C's and only six of us could wear it," Barkley told Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports and other local media. "I didn't really care to wear it. It don't do nothing for me to be honest.
"The only thing it does that you see your teammates vote for you and you get that respect, but that respect is shown in other ways too. Whether I have a C on my chest or not, I know my role."
Saquon Barkley was a captain on the Giants. (Imagn Images)
The NFL allows up to eight captains per team. Last season the Eagles had seven: Jalen Hurts, Lane Johnson, Jordan Mailata, A.J. Brown, Darius Slay, Brandon Graham and Jake Elliott.
With Slay and Graham gone, there are three openings for potential captaincies. Barkley was a captain for five straight seasons in New York, during which the Giants made the playoffs once (2022), and it was the only time they won more than six games. Barkley wasn't at fault for the Giants' poor performances. He had a bad offensive line and the Giants generally didn't surround Barkley with a lot of talent.
That led to his departure in free agency when the Giants didn't want to pay him. The Eagles did, and added him to what was already one of the most talented offenses in the NFL. Barkley shined, rushing for over 2,000 yards in the regular season, finishing with 2,504 yards total.
Having Barkley as a captain for the upcoming season would make sense. But it doesn't seem like it's a priority for him. Barkley's got bigger things on his plate.
"It's my duty to lead and help this team perform at a high level," Barkley said.
Barkley's head looks to be in the right place (not that it wasn't before) and he's laser-focused on continuing to help the Eagles win. It's a mentality shared by the entire roster.
Just listen to what Hurts and Mailata also told reporters Wednesday at Training Camp.
At the Eagles' ring ceremony last week, Hurts was pictured not wearing it. When asked about that, he said "I've moved on to the new year. It's as simple as that." He was also asked if he would open up his playing style now that he's won a Super Bowl, where he responded no.
"I just want to find ways to win, and that's the mentality I want this team to have," Hurts said.
Mailata was also adamant that whatever the Eagles did last year doesn't matter when it comes to this season, and they're "not defending nothing."
Those answers go back to the idea of Barkley not caring about the captaincy. For him, it's not about labels. He already knows what it takes to be a captain after doing it with the Giants. Whether Barkley has the C on his chest or not, he's going to carry himself the same way.
