“I never thought he would be playing for us”: Lane Johnson still shocked by Saquon Barkley signing

Eagles fans aren’t the only ones who can’t believe Saquon Barkley is now donning midnight green. All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson is in the same boat.

During an NFL Network appearance on Monday, Lane Johnson expressed his excitement in having the former No. 2 overall pick in Philadelphia.

“Once you see him, you’ll never forget, just [a] physically imposing guy,” Johnson said in an interview with NFL Network on Monday. “I think he walks around 230 [pounds].

“He’s ultra competitive. When you see what he can do at the running back position and we can flex him out at receiver, he can go. It’s unbelievable. I never thought that he would be playing for us, but here it is. I know that he’s excited. We’re definitely excited up front. I think he’s poised for a big, big year.”

To the surprise of many, GM Howie Roseman zeroed in on Saquon Barkley when free agency opened, inking him to a lucrative three-year contract worth $37.75M.

Despite being stuck behind a putrid offensive line in New York for six years, Barkley ranks ninth in rushing yards among running backs since joining the league.

Most rushing yards since 2018:

• Derrick Henry: 8,268 yards
• Nick Chubb: 6,511 yards
• Ezekiel Elliott: 6,290 yards
• Dalvin Cook: 5,853 yards
• Joe Mixon: 5,786 yards
• Christian McCaffrey: 5,750 yards
• Josh Jacobs: 5,545 yards
• Aaron Jones: 5,492 yards
• Saquon Barkley: 5,211

D’Andre Swift recorded his first 1,000-yard season last year in Philadelphia; Miles Sanders rushed for 1,200+ yards the year before that. One can only imagine what Barkley will do behind Lane Johnson and Philly’s top-ranked offensive line.

.@saquon is a grown man 😤 #GiantsPride #NYGvsDET

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