Saquon Barkley fires back at Chiefs defense with bold warning before Super Bowl rematch

Saquon Barkley has heard the talk and seen the tape. The Philadelphia Eagles running back expects the Kansas City Chiefs to stack the box on Sunday, just like they did in Super Bowl LIX. He is not backing down.

“If you don’t stack the box, I’ll make you pay for it,” Barkley said before the Week 2 matchup at Arrowhead Stadium.Barkley was bottled up in February, rushing 25 times for 57 yards, the lowest average ever in a Super Bowl for a back with 20 or more carries. The Chiefs’ defense made him work for every yard, but Jalen Hurts and the passing game carried the Eagles to a 40-22 win. Now, Barkley gets his shot at payback against Steve Spagnuolo’s defense in a rematch scheduled for 4:25 p.m.

ET on Sept. 14.

Saquon Barkley prepares for loaded fronts after struggles against Kansas City and Dallas

Defenses have already shown their game plan against Barkley this season. In the opener against the Dallas Cowboys, he finished with 60 yards on 18 carries. Next Gen Stats tracked that Dallas stacked the box on 66.7% of those rushing attempts, compared to just 21% across last season.It is the same formula the Chiefs used in the Super Bowl, forcing the Eagles to rely on Hurts’ arm and legs. Barkley admitted it will not be easy to find running lanes.

“It forces me to be disciplined, take what they give me, not only in the run game but just in the offense in general,” he said. “Being patient, that’s kind of the thing for us this week. And when we get the opportunity, make a play for it.”

Philadelphia Eagles look for Saquon Barkley to return to explosive form from historic season

The Eagles need Barkley to rediscover the explosiveness that defined his 2024 campaign. He rushed for 2,005 yards and scored seven touchdowns of 60 yards or more, the most in a single year in NFL history.

Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo said the staff is searching for ways to spring him free again. “He and I talk a lot about, ‘Here’s the plan. Here’s what we’re looking to do. Here are some new wrinkles,’” Patullo explained.Barkley’s longest run in Week 1 went for 16 yards. His only touchdown came on a short 10-yard burst. He said he remains confident in his offensive line and his ability to break a game open. “Every time I touch the ball, I feel like we have the ability to make a big one pop,” Barkley said.

Saquon Barkley points to leadership from A.J. Brown as key to Philadelphia Eagles locker room

Barkley also highlighted the influence of A.J. Brown after the wide receiver finished Week 1 with just one catch for eight yards. Instead of complaining, Brown stayed engaged and delivered a key reception late. Barkley said that example resonated throughout the roster. “It’s a great example for a lot of young players that look up to NFL players. When the game’s not going the way you want, not pouting, not getting upset, staying locked in, because a moment’s going to come,” Barkley said.For Barkley, the individual numbers mean less than the win column. “My goal, like I’ve said before, is not to rush for 2,000 yards. It’s to win football games. We were able to do that against Dallas, and now we gotta go to Kansas City in a tough environment and find a way to get another one.”