On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter revealed that Philadelphia Eagles superstar RB Saquon Barkley would be joining the legendary QB Tom Brady to play in a special flag football tournament in Saudi Arabia. The “Fanatics Flag Football Classic” will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on March 21, 2026, and feature current and retired NFL players.
“Yeah, I really don’t know too much about it yet,” Barkley said to reporters on Friday. “I do know I got a DM from Tom Brady saying, ‘Can I get a call?’ and I said, ‘Of course.’ Tom asked me about playing in a flag football game that’s in [March]. First thing I said to Tom, I said ‘I’d love to, but I plan on playing really [late into the season]. So I can give you a better answer on how my body feels after the season.”
“But yeah, I think it’s a cool experience, cool event. But definitely got to figure out some things, make sure it’s okay with [Eagles general manager] Howie [Roseman], and [Eagles head coach] Nick [Sirianni], and [Eagles owner Jeffrey] Lurie and all those. Because I definitely don’t want to jeopardize anything. But I’m all about — and I’ve been vocal about it — growing the game and growing the brand of the game. So if that does come into play, I’m super excited about that.”
Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley Not the Only NFL Player Set to Participate
Billie Weiss/GettyFOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – AUGUST 08: (L-R) Owner Robert Kraft and Former NFL player Tom Brady pose during the statue unveiling ceremony prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game between Washington Commanders and New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Billie Weiss/Getty Images)
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year is a big name, but the rest of the roster that’s been revealed so far is quite the who’s-who of NFL stars. 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey, Browns ED Myles Garrett, Jets CB Sauce Gardner, Raiders ED Maxx Crosby, and Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb are set to join Brady and Barkley. Retired TE Rob Gronkowski is also set to participate.
The event will consist of a mini-tournament featuring three teams comprised of NFL veterans. Broncos HC Sean Payton, Raiders HC Pete Carroll, and 49ers HC Kyle Shanahan will coach the three teams. More participants are sure to be announced in the coming months.
The Philadelphia Eagles Offense Needs to Find Its Groove
While the Eagles are 2-0 to start the season, their offense hasn’t been at quite the level we’ve come to expect from this Philadelphia team. Barkley has just 148 yards and two touchdowns on 40 carries, adding six catches for 30 yards. Eagles QB Jalen Hurts has struggled to get the passing game going, with only 253 passing yards across two games.
It’s a far cry from the high-flying Eagles attack we’ve grown accustomed to seeing. They have a big test awaiting them on Sunday, too, as the Los Angeles Rams come to town. The Rams gave the Eagles their toughest test in the playoffs last year, and their offense has been clicking through two games. If the Eagles are to win this one, their offense will need to wake up.
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