After six seasons with the New York Giants, during which he earned two Pro Bowl nods, Saquon Barkley made headlines by signing a $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason. He’s been worth every penny, seriously challenging the single-season rushing record and leading the Eagles to the NFC Championship Game.
The former Penn State Nittany Lions RB grew up in the Bronx in New York and had a tough childhood, but his parents gave him the right values that helped him grow and excel into a premier athlete.
Who Are Saquon Barkley’s Mom and Dad?
Barkley was one of five children born to Alibay Barkley and Tonya Johnson. In 2001, after being homeless for most of the year, his parents decided to move to Bethlehem, Pa., in search of a better environment for their children.
This move was a turning point in shaping Saquon’s life and career. Alibay and Johnson have always supported their son’s athletic pursuits, providing a stable and nurturing environment that allowed him to thrive and realize his potential.
In a 2023 interview with The Athletic, Saquon said: “I’ve been homeless before. I was probably six or seven and we got evicted. I bounced around. Having the support of family and friends helped us, and that got us back on our feet.”
Alibay, Saquon’s father, comes from a family with a strong boxing background. He was a boxer in his younger days, and this influence of mental and physical toughness can be seen in Saquon’s approach to football.
Saquon’s father made headlines in June for an unfortunate incident involving law enforcement. He was reportedly found with a loaded weapon in his vehicle while driving in the Bronx. Alibay, who claimed the gun belonged to his wife for safety reasons, was taken into custody.
Saquon’s mother, Johnson, has maintained a low profile, but her philanthropic work is known within the community. She was often present at the MetLife Stadium alongside her husband, supporting Saquon and the Giants. She has been a constant source of support for Saquon throughout his career.
When Saquon was making a comeback after a neck injury in 2022, Johnson said: “I’ve been there from the beginning to now, and just to see his consistency and determination to get back on that field and all the hard work that he put in trying to get his body right as well as his mind right, ’cause once your mind is right then your body will focus along with it tremendously proud of him.”
Saquon Barkley’s Family
Family has always been at the core of Barkley’s life. He shares two children with his longtime girlfriend, Anna Congdon, whom he met while attending Penn State University.
The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Jada, in April 2018, just days before Saquon was drafted into the NFL.
MORE: Get To Know Saquon Barkley’s Longtime Girlfriend, Anna Congdon
Their second child, Saquon Jr., was born in Sept. 2022. While the demands of his NFL career take a toll on family time, Saquon Sr. is a dedicated father who cherishes the time spent with his family.
Whether it’s walking the red carpet with Jada or sharing quiet moments at home, Saquon’s love for his family is paramount in everything he does.
Eagles vs. Commanders Game Preview
- Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Date: Jan. 26, Sunday
- Channel: Fox/Fox Deportes
Now, Barkley is trying to lead the Eagles past the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game.
With one more win, Daniels can become the first rookie quarterback to start in the Super Bowl. Daniels will be the sixth rookie QB to start in the Conference Championship Round; the prior five went 0-5 and performed disastrously.
Including the playoffs, Daniels ranks first in EPA per dropback when blitzed (0.36). While still effective against standard pass rushes, his EPA per dropback drops to 0.10 (13th) in those situations.
During this playoff run, Daniels became the first rookie QB in NFL history to record 275 passing yards and 50 rushing yards in a playoff win, the first rookie to beat a No. 1 seed since Joe Flacco in 2008, and the third rookie QB to win two road playoff games (joining Flacco and Mark Sanchez).
Now, Daniels will face an Eagles defense that blitzes at the second-lowest rate of any team this season, including playoffs. During their two regular-season matchups, Daniels punished the Eagles’ blitz, producing an incredible 1.03 EPA (Expected Points Added) per dropback and 14.5 yards per attempt when blitzed.
Philadelphia only blitzed him on 14 of his 84 dropbacks (17%) in those games. Against their non-blitz pass rush, Daniels was far less effective, averaging a modest -0.02 EPA per dropback.
Barkley had significant success against Washington. In their two matchups, Barkley rushed for 451 yards and four touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.4 yards per carry.
However, the Commanders found a way to limit Barkley in Week 16 after Jalen Hurts left the game in the first quarter, forcing Kenny Pickett to step in. Over the final three quarters, Barkley managed just 41 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Before Hurts’ injury, Barkley had been averaging over 7.7 yards per carry against Washington.
If Hurts is limited by his left leg injury, the Commanders could focus on loading up against Barkley to contain the Eagles’ rushing attack. By committing additional resources to stop Barkley, they might aim to force Hurts to rely more on his passing game, testing his mobility and effectiveness with the injury.
The Eagles have leaned heavily on Barkley and Hurts’ rushing abilities to generate offense in the playoffs. Through two games, 70.9% of their total yards have come on the ground.
The Commanders will play in the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991. Only the Browns, who last appeared in a Conference Championship Game in 1989, endured a longer drought.
Washington went 4-13 (.235) last year, marking the fourth-worst win percentage in the season prior to making a Conference Championship appearance, trailing only the 2017 Jaguars (0.188), 2006 Saints (0.188), and 1967 Oilers (0.214).
The Eagles lost two games in September and have lost one game since — at Washington in Week 16 after Hurts exited early with a concussion. In that loss, Philadelphia became the first team to score 21 points in the first quarter in a losing effort since the 2019 Texans (during the Divisional Round on the road against the Chiefs).
PFN’s Playoff Predictor gives the Eagles a 61.8% chance of winning this game while the Commanders have 38.2% odds.
