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For former PSU’s Saquon Barkley, the First Act was the NFL Draft in 2018. Penn State’s game-changing running back was headed to the New York Giants — having gone #2. He came to rebuild a franchise that was long past the Super Bowl victories of Eli Manning and Tom Coughlin. That task wouldn’t be easy. The division rival Birds had just won a World Championship.
Perhaps no quarterback in the Covid Restricted 2020 NFL Draft knew adversity like Jalen Hurts. Drafted to Philadelphia where he would eventually supplant Carson Wentz as the team’s franchise quarterback— even he didn’t know exactly what his role would be on the Eagles. His work ethic — a no nonsense approach to leadership got him into the top spot. His act one was to get onto the roster. Earning the right to start for the Eagles. Act 2 — was two trips to sports’ biggest stage — and to win one.
A.J. Brown also entered the NFL with high expectations. Picked in the 2nd round in 2019 by the Tennessee Titans — Brown made an almost immediate impact — helping the Titans to the AFC Championship Game in his first season. Brown met another mentor there in Julio Jones. AJ Brown’s Act 2 was to join the Eagles as one of the centerpieces of Philadelphia’s passing attack — and like Devonta Smith — one of the NFL’s best wide receivers with nearly 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns.
Brown wasn’t the only player who arrived at the Novacare Complex ready for Act 2. In 2024–2025 — Saquon Barkley had a historic NFL season. A fresh start down I-95 — with a division rival who may have seen his value — but had not invested in it. Saquon Barkley — in the prime of his ability for an NFL running back — begins his final Act as well.
For all three Superstars — three of the best in the NFL — will be to attempt to run back a miracle season together. Hurts would replace Wentz as franchise quarterback who has faded in Philadelphia’s memory.
One thing is for certain — Act 3 has the potential to be not only as good as the first two. It has all the promise of being even better.
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