McNabb: Eagles Losing Andy Reid Bigger Mistake Than Giants Dropping Saquon Barkley

In a candid reflection on pivotal decisions in NFL history, former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb has weighed in on two franchise-altering moves. The spotlight is on Saquon Barkley’s departure from the New York Giants to the Eagles, where he shattered rushing records and powered the team to a Super Bowl victory. McNabb didn’t hold back, calling the Giants’ decision to let Barkley go a ‘real big mistake’ that could haunt them for seasons to come.

Yet, McNabb argues there’s an even greater blunder in the Eagles’ own past—parting ways with head coach Andy Reid after the 2012 season. Having played his entire Eagles tenure under Reid, McNabb witnessed firsthand the coach’s brilliance. Since leaving Philadelphia, Reid has transformed the Kansas City Chiefs into a dynasty, securing three Super Bowl titles and molding Patrick Mahomes into a superstar. ‘Losing Andy was bigger,’ McNabb asserted, reflecting on how Reid’s exit left a void in Philly’s consistency, while his success elsewhere speaks volumes about what might have been.

Reid’s numbers tell the story: a respectable 130-93 record with the Eagles, but no championship; contrasted with a staggering 143-53 run with the Chiefs, including an 18-8 playoff record. Meanwhile, Barkley’s impact on the Eagles’ recent Super Bowl triumph over Reid’s Chiefs adds a poetic twist to the narrative. McNabb’s take? A sly nod to the Giants with a ‘good luck going forward’—a polite jab at their loss becoming Philly’s gain.

These decisions, years apart, remind us how a single move can reshape a franchise’s destiny. Whether it’s a star running back switching sides or a legendary coach walking away, the ripple effects linger far beyond the scoreboard.