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Saquon Barkley hints at early retirement

Saquon Barkley was at the top of his game in 2024. But could the Penn State football icon’s playing days be nearing an end? His answer might surprise you.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley rushes for a gain against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. © Matt Slocum/AP

Saquon Barkley is coming off a career-best season with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024. But could the Penn State football legend and new Super Bowl champion be close to hanging up his cleats for good?

Appearing on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast this week, Barkley indicated that the end of his playing career may be closer than some would expect.

I’m probably one of those guys that it’ll be out of nowhere,Barkley told Long of his retirement. Like I’ll probably just wake up one day, whether it’s next year, or two years, or four years, and just be like,Yeah, it’s over.’”

Barkley, who turned 28 in February, just finished his seventh year of professional football. The former Nittany Lion won Offensive Player of the Year honors last fall after setting the single-season NFL rushing record with 2,504 yards.

On Monday, Barkley was announced as the cover athlete for Madden 26.

In March, Barkley signed a record-breaking two-year contract extension to his original three-year deal with the Eagles. Despite now being the highest-paid running back in NFL history, Barkley says he has no qualms about walking away at the top of his game. He likened his career trajectory to that of Barry Sanders, who retired in 1998 after rushing for 1,491 yards at the age of 30.

“The competitive nature is always going to be there, but probably my favorite player of all time is Barry Sanders. So probably similar to that. Maybe one day it’ll be out of nowhere. I’ll probably be ballin’ and just like,Yeah, [time to] call it quits.‘”



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Matt is a co-owner and Editor of Basic Blues Nation. Launched in 2022, Basic Blues Nation is one of the fastest-growing websites covering all Penn State athletics. Matt is also a credentialed member of the Penn State football beat, and is a member of the Football Writers Association of America.

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