Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley reveals he was ‘pretty damn close’ to joining the Chicago Bears in free agency

Barkley reveals how close he was to joining the Bears

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley nearly joined the Chicago Bears during the 2024 NFL free agency period. Speaking at Super Bowl Opening Night, the Philadelphia Eagles’ star running back confirmed how close the deal came to reality.

“Pretty damn close,” Barkley told reporters at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans.

Barkley’s free agency decision shocked fans

Reports during free agency revealed that Barkley had three main suitors: the Eagles, Bears, and Texans. Despite Chicago’s serious interest, he ultimately chose Philadelphia—a move that paid off big time. Barkley’s 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns helped propel the Eagles back to the Super Bowl. His 5.8 yards per carry set a personal best.

🚨NEWS: Saquon Barkley said that he was very close to signing with the Chicago #Bears in free agency before going to Philly.

“I was pretty damn close”

👀 pic.twitter.com/cBsmv6V9zG
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) February 4, 2025

For Bears fans, Barkley’s admission stings. After going 5-12 in 2024, Chicago needed a game-changer. But even with Barkley, it’s doubtful they would have turned their losing season into a playoff run. Without the Eagles’ elite offensive line, replicating his success in Chicago would have been nearly impossible. The Bears instead signed D’Andre Swift, who produced a modest 959 yards and six touchdowns on a struggling offense.

What if Saquon Barkley had signed with Chicago?

The Bears were one of the few teams aggressively pursuing Barkley last offseason. Their interest was even highlighted in the Hard Knocks series. But it’s clear Barkley saw more potential with Philadelphia, and he was right. Behind one of the best offensive lines in football, Barkley dominated, breaking LeSean McCoy’s single-season rushing record for the Eagles.

“We view this as a blessing,” Barkley’s former Giants teammate Parris Campbell said in a recent CBS Sports interview, referring to their career rejuvenation with Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, the Bears might regret missing out. Draft projections show they’re likely to target a running back in 2025, with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty—who ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns—being a possible pick.

D’Andre Swift was Chicago’s backup plan

After losing the Barkley sweepstakes, the Bears signed ex-Eagles running back D’Andre Swift. Though Swift’s numbers were respectable, they didn’t compare to Barkley’s historic performance. The Bears’ run game averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, one of the league’s worst.

For Barkley, the decision to sign with the Eagles instead of the Bears couldn’t have worked out better. He now stands on the brink of leading Philadelphia to another Super Bowl title on his 28th birthday. Fans in Chicago, on the other hand, are left wondering what could have been.

Image: Imagn Images

Chicago Bears

Saquon Barkley

Saquon Barkley Chicago Bears

Natasha Bose

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