Saquon Barkley had discussions with C.J. Stroud and contemplated joining the Texans before eventually signing with the Eagles.
Saquon Barkley reveals that before joining the Eagles, he seriously considered playing for the Texans.
Barkley shares that he had conversations with C.J. Stroud and some other Texans players before free agency officially began, showing keen interest in joining Houston.
“The team that initially caught my attention was Houston. I had discussions with C.J. and a few others, but this was before official offers could be made and negotiations with teams could take place,” Barkley mentioned on the New Heights podcast, as reported by the New York Post.
There’s been some scrutiny over Barkley’s signing with the Eagles because his college coach suggested that Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman talked to Barkley before free agency opened. While this could violate NFL rules, it’s acceptable for players like Stroud to try to recruit Barkley.
Barkley admits he had some appealing offers during free agency but felt most comfortable with Philadelphia, which is close to where he played college football at Penn State.
“A few years back, I probably wouldn’t have imagined myself playing for Philly, but returning to Pennsylvania feels right for me. My family, including my partner, kids, and grandparents, all hail from Pennsylvania.
Being near them and having the opportunity to compete felt like the perfect fit. I’ve admired the team’s culture from a distance, and now, I’m excited to be part of it,” Barkley expressed. Following Barkley’s decision, the Texans acquired running back Joe Mixon.
