Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley sparked a fiery NFL debate by claiming the 2024 Super Bowl-winning squad ranks among the top five teams in league history—but not everyone is buying it. Barkley’s bold assertion, made during an appearance on the Exciting Mics podcast, faced immediate pushback from former Pro Bowl receiver and analyst Keyshawn Johnson, who bluntly declared: “They’re not there yet.”
The clash of opinions highlights a growing divide between modern hype and historical reverence in football lore.
Saquon Barkley’s bold claim
Fresh off a dominant 2024 campaign, Barkley doubled down on the Eagles’ legacy during his podcast appearance.
“I firmly believe… we were a top-five team of all time,” he said, citing the team’s post-Week 4 dominance. “Outside the first four games, it was belt to a--. Teams stood no chance—you saw that in the playoffs and Super Bowl.”
Saquon Barkley’s argument hinges on Philadelphia’s historic balance:
No. 1 Defense: Allowed just 17.2 PPG post-Week 4.
Record-Breaking Offense: Averaged 34.1 PPG, highest since the 2013 Broncos.
Special Teams Excellence: Led the NFL in kick return yards and punt block efficiency.
“People don’t realize how great that team was,” Barkley insisted, predicting history will vindicate them.
Keyshawn Johnson’s reality check
Johnson, a Super Bowl XXXVII champion, swiftly countered Barkley’s take on FOX Sports’ Speak. “In all honesty, buddy, nah not quite,” he scoffed. “They’re not one of the top five teams in NFL history.”
The analyst anchored his rebuttal in iconic squads:
1972 Dolphins: Only undefeated team in NFL history (17-0).
1985 Bears: Legendary defense allowing 12.4 PPG.
1970s Steelers: Four Super Bowls in six years.
2000 Ravens: All-time defensive unit with 165 points allowed.
“Saquon had seven yards against our [2002 Bucs] defense,” Keyshawn Johnson jabbed, referencing his own championship team. “Derrick Brooks and company would’ve shut him down. Love him, but historically? They’re not there.”
What history remembers
Greatness in the NFL is often measured by sustained excellence, not single-season feats. The Steelers’ four titles in the ’70s, the Patriots’ two-decade dynasty, and the Cowboys’ 1990s dominance set benchmarks the Eagles haven’t touched—yet.
“One ring doesn’t put you beside those teams,” Johnson stressed. “Come back in 10 years. Then we’ll talk.”
Saquon Barkley’s pride in his team is understandable—the 2024 Eagles were a juggernaut. But Keyshawn Johnson’s skepticism underscores a timeless truth: NFL immortality isn’t won in a season. It’s earned through relentless dominance, cultural impact, and the test of time. For now, Philadelphia’s place among the gods of football remains a debate. For Eagles fans, the challenge is clear: Do it again.