After signing his record-setting contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles, star running back Saquon Barkley made it clear that he wants to remain in Philly for as long as possible.
"I think it was just mutual, the love I have for the organization," Barkley said. "I want to be here for a very long time and the same thing that they feel for me, obviously it shows."
Saquon Barkley excited for the future in Philly, wants to stay with Eagles for 'a very long time'
After setting the franchise record for rushing during his first season in an Eagles uniform and helping the Birds win the second Super Bowl in franchise history, Barkley is grateful for the opportunity that the organization has given him and excited about the future since he's now under contract with the team for the next four seasons,
"I'm just thankful. Obviously, for the extension, but being part of this organization," Barkley said. "From top to bottom, they do it the right way, everybody in this building. So, to be able to be part of this for another four years I think it is and hopefully more – I'm super excited about that.
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"This organization knows how to continue to bring in great people and have great guys on this team, and I'm just happy to be a part of it.," Barkley added. "The things that I envision in the future, I feel like being here is the best place for it."
It's very rare that a player gets an extension after just a single season, especially when he already had two years remaining on his current contract, but Barkley is an exception. His impact was immediate -- and enormous -- and he was recently listed as the best free agent signing in the history of the NFL.
It makes sense that the Eagles would want to lock him up for as long as possible while simultaneously rewarding him for the work he already put in in Midnight Green (and Kelly Green). Other organizations (cough, Bengals, cough) could learn from Philadelphia's approach when it comes to taking care of their own players.
We saw what Barkley was able to accomplish in just one season in the Eagles organization and running behind arguably the best offensive line in football. Imagine how much more he'll be able to accomoplish in four more seasons. At 28 years old, the dude should still have plenty of extremely productive play ahead of him.
Like Barkley, Eagles fans should be very excited about the future.