Saquon Barkley Blasts Joint Practices: ‘I Hate Them’
Eagles and Patriots Joint Practices: Fights, Learning Curves, and Different Opinions
What Happened at the Joint Practices?
The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots held joint practices this week in Foxborough, Massachusetts. These are special training sessions where two NFL teams practice against each other instead of just their own teammates.
Location: Foxborough, Massachusetts
Date: August 2026 (two days of practice)
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots
Saquon Barkley: "I Hate Joint Practices"
Eagles star running back Saquon Barkley was very honest about his feelings:
"I’m the wrong guy to ask because I hate joint practices, to be honest. I think one day is good."
Why Barkley Dislikes Them
- Too much pushing and shoving — Players get too physical
- Trash talk turns personal — "Someone says this about you and it’s ‘I don’t know about that but you’re this.’ It’s immature when you get to that level."
- Risk of injury — Unnecessary roughness when games don’t count
- Barkley admits fault too — "I have to do a better job, too, because I’m a little troublemaker sometimes, but I was good this week."
The Fights That Broke Out
Despite Barkley saying he was "good," multiple skirmishes happened on Day 2:
| Incident | Players Involved | What Happened |
|---|---|---|
| Scrum #1 | Saquon Barkley + Patriots defenders | Barkley at center of a pile-up |
| Face Mask Grabbing | Lane Johnson (Eagles RT) vs. K.J. Britt (Patriots LB) | Both players grabbed each other’s face masks |
| Multiple Other Skirmishes | Eagles offense vs. Patriots defense | "Several skirmishes… mostly between the Eagles’ offense and the Patriots’ defense" |
IMPORTANT POINT: Barkley predicted this: "That’s bound to happen after Day 2. Obviously football is a physical game within itself and it’s just a little extra pushing and shoving."
The Good News: Eagles Offense Showed Progress
Even with the fights, coaches and players saw real benefits:
Running Game: LOOKED GREAT
- New "wide zone" running scheme working well
- Barkley and other backs broke off several long runs
- Offensive line creating good holes
Passing Game: STILL LEARNING
- Jalen Hurts threw 5 interceptions over 2 days
- New offense under coordinator Sean Mannion = learning curve
- Timing and chemistry still developing
Vic Fangio: "I LOVE Joint Practices!"
Eagles Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio completely disagrees with Barkley:
"I love doing these things. I think these things are great. I wish we would do another one."
Why Fangio Loves Them
- New looks — Go against different schemes and players
- Unscouted plays — See things you haven’t prepared for
- Real reactions — Test how players handle surprise situations
- Maximum learning — "These things are tremendous and can’t get enough of it."
Why Do Teams Do Joint Practices Anyway?
Think of it like scrimmaging another school before the real season starts:
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Better competition | Your own teammates know your plays too well |
| Test new schemes | See if your new offense/defense works vs. strangers |
| Evaluate players | How do they perform against different body types? |
| Practice intensity | Natural competitive fire without game pressure |
Summary
| Perspective | View on Joint Practices | Key Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Saquon Barkley (RB) | Hates them — "immature," too much fighting | Multiple scrums, face mask incidents |
| Vic Fangio (DC) | Loves them — wants more | Great for defense, unscouted looks |
| Overall Result | Net positive for Eagles | Run game great, pass game learning, defense tested |
Bottom line: The Eagles got valuable work in — especially for their new offense and defense — but the fighting and interceptions show there’s still work to do before the regular season.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
What exactly is a "joint practice"?
It’s when two NFL teams practice together instead of separately. They run drills, 7-on-7, and 11-on-11 against each other. Think of it as a controlled scrimmage without referees or full game rules.
Why did Jalen Hurts throw 5 interceptions?
He’s learning a brand new offense under coordinator Sean Mannion. New plays, new timing, new reads. Interceptions in practice are actually good learning moments — better now than in real games!
Are joint practices dangerous?
They can be — that’s why Barkley hates them. More intensity + unfamiliar opponents = higher fight/injury risk. But the NFL allows them because the learning value usually outweighs the risk.
What is the "wide zone" running scheme?
It’s a running play where the entire offensive line steps sideways together (like a wall moving sideways), and the running back reads which hole opens up. It creates cutback lanes and uses the defense’s speed against them.
Will the Eagles and Patriots do this again next year?
Maybe! Fangio wants more, Barkley wants less. It usually depends on:
- Schedule alignment (teams need to be near each other)
- Coach relationships (Fangio and Patriots coaches know each other)
- Previous experience (if fights get too bad, teams avoid each other)
Final Thought: Joint practices are like spicy food — some people love the heat (Fangio), some think it’s unnecessary pain (Barkley), but either way, the Eagles got stronger this week.