Eagles Stars Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley Welcome LeBron James to Philly

Eagles stars celebrate James joining the 76ers, saying his winning mentality perfectly suits one of America's premier sports cities.

John Rigolizzo

Published: 7/30/2026, 11:42:38 PM EDT

Eagles Stars Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley Welcome LeBron James to Philly — LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first quarter in Game Four of the Second Round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on May 11, 2026. (Luke Hales/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley have extended a warm welcome to LeBron James.

The 23-year veteran signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this month, with the hope of bringing a championship to the City of Brotherly Love.

The Eagles were the last team to win a championship: their Super Bowl LIX win in 2025. At their press conferences Wednesday, Barkley and Hurts said they were excited to have his championship mentality in Philadelphia.

"I think, for what he represents in sports and sports culture, it's huge," Hurts said at the podium. "And I think it's huge for the city of Philadelphia. And so, it'd be exciting to have a figure like that in the city. What he's done, one of the greatest to ever do it. And I'm excited to be a part of that."

LeBron signed a two-year, $8 million deal with the Sixers on July 24, joining a promising young core in Philly that just added superstar Jaylen Brown earlier in free agency.

"I still want to sacrifice," he said in a post on X announcing his decision. "I still want to work. I still want to grind. I still want to compete, to win and to have a chance at the feeling of winning another championship. I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time."

Barkley did lend his voice to the effort to recruit The King.

"I think it's one of the greatest sports towns in the world," Barkley, a Pennsylvania native, said at an event on July 9. "If you want to go out with a bang, I feel like a great spot would be in Philly, and bringing a championship to Philadelphia, you'd be remembered forever."

Barkley downplayed the notion that his comments were a recruiting pitch in front of the reporters Wednesday, saying that he was simply responding to a reporter's question and even pointing out the reporter, but he did not downplay his enthusiasm.

"I'm excited [for] 'Bron to be here," he said. "I think the city of Philadelphia is a super cool place to be for sports, and how involved the fans are, and having 'Bron here is just great for the culture."

Jalen Hurts #1 and Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images) — Jalen Hurts #1 and Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrate after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the game at Arrowhead Stadium on September 14, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Defensive tackle Jordan Davis led off his podium appearance with the news.

"How are we feeling about LeBron being in town?" he said through a big smile. "Come on. Come on. Give me some. Give me some."

Hurts, Barkley and Davis all know a thing or two about what it takes to bring a championship to Philly.

In his first year with the Eagles after six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns to help carry the Eagles to the playoffs, then put up 499 yards in the Eagles' run through the NFC playoffs. The Kansas City Chiefs locked down the run game in Super Bowl LIX, but Hurts threw for 221 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception; and rushed for 72 yards and a score to lead the Eagles to a 40-22 win. He won Super Bowl MVP for his performance.

Davis, meanwhile, was a member of the top-ranked Eagles defense that made life miserable for the Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The Eagles sacked Mahomes six times, including a strip-sack that all but iced the game; forced two interceptions, including a pick-six by nickel defender Cooper DeJean; and shut out the offense until late in the third quarter.

The Sixers have a promising core of talent, including rising superstar point guard Tyrese Maxey, former third overall pick VJ Edgecombe at shooting guard, superstar trade acquisition Jaylen Brown on the wing, and veteran center Joel Embiid.

They are coming off a season in which they overcame a 3-1 deficit against Brown and the Boston Celtics in the first round, but were throttled 4-0 by the eventual champion New York Knicks in the Conference Semifinals. The Sixers have not won a championship since 1983.