Eagles’ Nick Sirianni: Saquon Barkley’s Reverse Hurdle is ‘Best Play I’ve Ever Seen’

Zach BacharContributor INovember 4, 2024

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was left in awe after Saquon Barkley’s incredible reverse hurdle over a defender on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Tim McManus.

“It was the best play I’ve ever seen,” Sirianni said, per McManus. “What I think is so cool, there’s going to be kids all over the country and all over Philadelphia trying to make that play and talking about that play and simulating that play as they play backyard football or peewee football. They ain’t going to be able to make it — I believe he’s the only one in the world that can do that.”

Sirianni added that the play left him “speechless.”

In the second quarter of the Eagles’ 28-23 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Jalen Hurts threw a short pass to Barkley on third down with six yards to gain. The running back slipped two tackles to move the chains before jumping over Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones with his back turned.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReportSAQUON JUST HIT A REVERSE HURDLE ⁉️

OMG. 🤯

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/uZ11M3qA59

Barkley finished with 159 yards on the ground to go along with a touchdown, averaging 5.9 yards per attempt. He also picked up 40 yards as a receiver, which included a 20-yard touchdown in the first quarter in addition to his play that had Sirianni at a loss for words.

NFL @NFLTHE EAGLES SCORE IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/3RSzbOQvfQ

Philadelphia’s head coach wasn’t the only member of the organization in awe of the hurdle, as wide receiver DeVonta Smith called the play “crazy,” per McManus.

“I ain’t never seen nothing like it,” Smith said.

Barkley has exceeded expectations in his first season with the Eagles after joining the team on a three-year, $37.75 million contract as a free agent in March.

He ranks No. 2 among all NFL players with 925 rush yards this season, finding the end zone six times on the ground. Barkley has also recorded 146 yards as a receiver.

With Sunday’s win, the Eagles improved to 6-2 and currently sit 0.5 games behind the Washington Commanders for the top spot in the NFC East.