Saquon Barkley admits he didn’t know “hat and t-shirt” games were a thing until winning his first NFC East title

The Eagles clinched the NFC East title on Sunday in their monster win over the Cowboys, and while it isn’t the first division win for many of the coaches and players, for others, it’s the first taste of winning at such a high level.

Saquon Barkley spoke to reporters after his record-breaking, milestone-hitting game, and admitted that this was his first hat and t-shirt game — which he didn’t even know was a thing after six years with the Giants.

“It’s cool, I’m not going to downplay it. But like I said, at the end of the day, you’re not getting remembered for being a 2024 NFC East division champ. I’m happy, it’s my first hat and T-shirt game. I didn’t even know that was a thing, to be honest. So, I’m happy to be part of that, and we did it as a team. But we all know what the goal is.”

Similarly, Mekhi Becton, who was the subject of bust storylines for the Jets, left the field on Sunday with tears in his eyes. Becton’s career has had a complete turnaround thanks to Jeff Stoutland moving him to guard and developing him all offseason. He hasn’t been shy about the hard feelings he held leaving New York, and having so much success in Philly has been emotional.

Here’s how some other Eagles felt about winning the division title.

NICK SIRIANNI

“It’s exciting. We always want to do special things. I think winning the division is always a special thing, and then our goals are much bigger from here. I think we’ve got special guys. It was fun celebrating in there when you’re able to do this. We’ll enjoy this, and then we’ll get right back to work because our goals are bigger than just winning this division.

This is a hell of a division with great teams and great coaches and great players. So, to be on top of that — you guys walk in the building, and there’s that area where it’s just the champions, the NFC East champions. I walk by it every day on my way in and my way out to see Coach [Andy] Reid’s pictures in there and Coach Doug [Pederson]’s pictures and Carson [Wentz] and Jalen [Hurts] and Donovan [McNabb] and all the great players, Michael Vick, and all the great players there that have contributed to NFC East championships.

It’s cool to add another one there. We just want to get back to work. Like I said, we’ll enjoy this, and then it’s back to work.”

DEVONTA SMITH

“It’s important. Especially to go out there and do it, so like you said, you don’t have to be fighting for it next week. But, ultimately, you try and win every week.”

KENNY PICKETT

“It’s special [winning the division]. It’s special, man. And I sit out there on the field, I’m sure there’s a kid dreaming about playing for the Eagles and doing things that we went out there and did today. It’s incredibly special. I had a lot of family here, my dad especially, he’s the one who took me to all the games, and we have great memories together. Watching [Donovan] McNabb and [Brian] Westbrook, back when I was really young. It’s pretty cool.”