Insider names clear leader of Eagles ahead of playoff game vs. Rams

Running back Saquon Barkley quickly established himself as a locker-room leader not long after he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles last March. Multiple teammates opened up about everything he offered the team behind the scenes before Philadelphia's 22-10 wild-card playoff win over the Green Bay Packers this past weekend. 

During a Monday appearance on ESPN New York's "The Michael Kay Show," Sal Paolantonio expanded on Barkley's impact on the Eagles beyond his numerous on-the-field contributions. 

"He's definitely what is running this team," Paolantonio said about Barkley, Sports Illustrated's Madison Williams shared. "His attitude mentally, physically, his leadership, the way he stands in front of the locker and answers every question and how he answers questions — he's the leader of the team, no question about it, both sides of the ball. And it shows, without a doubt. They are taking their cues from him and the coaching staff as well." 

Following the epic collapse of the 2023 Eagles, which ended with a wild-card playoff defeat, questions about quarterback Jalen Hurts's leadership qualities emerged and hovered over the franchise for months. Stories then surfaced in the summer suggesting that Hurts and head coach Nick Sirianni had a "fractured" relationship. 

Such chatter quieted as the 2024 Eagles won 12 of their final 13 regular-season games. Meanwhile, Barkley ended Week 18 as the uncrowned Offensive Player of the Year Award winner, leading the league with 2,283 yards from scrimmage.

Against the Packers, Barkley rushed for an impressive 119 yards on 25 carries. He also generated headlines when he slid down late in the game, even though he likely could've rushed for a touchdown so the Eagles could kneel and run the clock out. 

"Everything that he does, he does right. Everything," Paolantonio added about Barkley. "What he says, how he acts, how he trains, how he walks around the building, how he treats people around the building. A+ character guy, A+ production out of this guy. If they're going to the Super Bowl, it's because of Saquon Barkley."

As of Tuesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles as six-point favorites for Sunday's home divisional-round playoff matchup versus the Los Angeles Rams. During his New York Giants tenure from 2018-23, Barkley never played in a conference title game, but he could soon serve as the most valuable player for the NFC's Super Bowl representative.