Saquon: Verse hating on Eagles fans 'not the smartest thing'

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley doesn't appreciate Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Jared Verse's contempt for his team's fans.

"Probably not the smartest thing to say when you're coming to Philadelphia," Barkley said Friday, per ESPN's Tim McManus. "I've been on the other side (as a New York Giant) and, even if I felt some type of way, I probably wouldn't give them any extra fuel.

"I'm pretty sure Philly fans have seen that comment. It was already going to be loud and rocking, so it's just only going to add to it."

Verse said Thursday that he "hates" Eagles fans and finds them annoying. He lamented that he could hear the fans' obscenities toward the Rams through his headphones before the two teams faced off in November, a clash the Eagles won 37-20.

The rookie didn't walk his comments back Friday, telling Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times that he wanted to "move on."

"What was said was said. That was the past," he said. "We've got a game to handle."

Barkley played with the Giants from 2018 to 2023 before signing a three-year contract with the division-rival Eagles in March 2024.

The running back has been one of Philadelphia's most impactful additions, rushing for 2,005 yards and 15 touchdowns in 16 games. He was 101 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record.

Verse, meanwhile, will look to add to his 66 tackles and 4.5 sack total.

The Eagles and Rams will square off Sunday at 3 p.m. ET.