Breaking News: Jason Kelce says Saquon Barkley is the best running back he could have played with: Will his former teammates agree?

Jason Kelce had the opportunity to play alongside some of the best running backs in Philadelphia Eagles history. From LeSean McCoy to Miles Sanders, Kelce was never short of backfield talent. Despite this, the recently retired center has expressed frustration over missing the chance to play with one of his favorite running backs.

The Eagles are known for prioritizing a powerful ground attack. From Steve Van Buren in the pre-Super Bowl era to McCoy in the 2010s, not to mention Wilbert Montgomery in the ’80s and Ricky Watters in the ’90s, Philadelphia has a rich history of elite running backs

Recently, the Eagles honored that legacy by signing Saquon Barkley, widely considered one of the best running backs in the league. Barkley arrived in Philadelphia as a free agent from the New York Giants, filling the void left by the departure of De’Andre Swift.

The timing of Barkley’s arrival, just two weeks after Jason Kelce announced his retirement, didn’t sit well with the former center, who jokingly complained to Eagles general manager Howie Roseman about not making the move sooner.
Kelce’s frustration
Jason Kelce retired on March 4, and Barkley signed his contract with the Eagles on March 13. Following the news, Kelce didn’t hesitate to voice his frustration about the timing of the deal. “I tell Howie (Roseman) all the time, ‘Why did you wait until I retired to bring in a piece like this?'”

Of course, Kelce’s complaint wasn’t entirely serious, as Barkley wasn’t available until this year when his contract with the Giants expired. Nonetheless, the former center didn’t hold back from sharing how much he would’ve loved to play alongside the Eagles’ new star.

“The last time I played with a running back this talented was probably LeSean McCoy,” Kelce said in an interview with Sports Illustrated. “Darren Sproles was amazing too, but I got him at the tail end of his career,” he added.
Kelce’s words spark debate
Kelce quickly clarified that his comments weren’t meant as a slight against his former teammates. “I’ve played with some great backs. I’m very thankful for the guys I’ve had, but having someone like Saquon would’ve been really special.”
Despite the clarification, Kelce’s comments stirred up controversy among analysts, some of whom pointed out the solid performances of De’Andre Swift and Miles Sanders during his time with the Eagles.

Whether Kelce was joking or not, his words have caused a stir, and it remains to be seen if his former teammates or other players will respond.