Exclusive Interview: Brian Dawkins Talks State of the Birds, Saquon Barkley, and Kidney Disease Awareness

Philadelphia Eagles great Brian Dawkins isn’t concerned at all over the team’s recent loss to the Washington Commanders.

Although the Eagles failed to clinch the NFC East and basically eliminated their chances at clinching the No. 1 seed in the NFC with their 36-33 loss to the Commanders, Dawkins says it isn’t cause for concern. The Hall of Fame safety and 14-year Eagles veteran says the team has turned the corner in a positive direction ever since their bye in Week 5 and even mentions how Philadelphia came strong out of the gates following the A.J. Brown-Jalen Hurts drama in a decisive win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 15. 

“No,” says Dawkins in an exclusive interview with Sports Talk Philly when asked if he’s concerned about the Eagles. “The reason why I say no is because after the bye week, when a lot of questions were had, it was a different team that came out of the bye week. And then when all of the ruckus had happened between the quarterback and the receiver — or however people wanted to put it — it was chaos in the locker room, right? They came out and they balled out.”

Dawkins stresses that the 2024 Eagles team is a completely different squad compared to the 2023 team that fell apart in the second half of the season. After starting out with a league-best 10-1 record, Philadelphia lost six of their final seven games and were eliminated in the wild card round of the playoffs.

“As long as there is communication and accountability — which I believe is in the locker room — I believe that they’ll be just fine,” says Dawkins. “I’m also talking about the meeting rooms as well, not just in the locker room, the players and the coaches. I believe it’s there and I believe that they were fixed, I know the guys are professional. As much as you would love to be extremely frustrated and go crazy about this one game, I wouldn’t do it today. This year is not like last year. 

“To me, this is a different team, this is a different culture being built,” Dawkins continues to say. “I wouldn’t put too much into this loss. Knowing who I am and how I learned as far as growing in the NFL.”

The loss to the Commanders — a game in which they led by 14 points — was a bit of a surprise not only considering their two-possession lead, but because they had won 10 consecutive games. That’s also in addition to Philadelphia having defeated Washington 26-18 just several weeks prior in a game that they dominated, outgaining the Commanders, 434-to-264 yards.

However, it’s worth noting that Jalen Hurts left the game due to a concussion just several minutes into the first quarter. While Kenny Pickett was solid in relief — he went 14-for-24 for 143 yards and one touchdown — the offense took a bit of a hit without Hurts’ dual-threat ability.

It also didn’t help that Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite Jayden Daniels turned in arguably his finest performance to date, posting five passing touchdowns in addition to 81 rushing yards. The Commanders won despite committing five turnovers.

Dawkins makes sure to put a silver lining on the loss, saying the Eagles could use this upset to their advantage when it actually matters in the playoffs.

“I hate to say it, but it can be a good thing when you have these types of ruckuses during winning streaks and all that stuff, it breaks up some of the success,” says Dawkins. “Now you have to really dive in to some of the things that you need towards the later half of the season so that you don’t have that stuff bite you in the butt in the playoffs.”

Philadelphia — currently slotted as the No. 2 seed — could match up with the Commanders, who are currently penciled in as the No. 7 seed. Dawkins isn’t concerned about a potential rematch, once again stressing that this year’s Eagles team is different and that there is “accountability and communication” in the building.

“If the Eagles handle their business and go out and play the way that they can play, then it does not matter what team you line up against on the other side,” says Dawkins. “That’s not always the case every year. I believe accountability and communication is in the building. I believe that if they step on the field and handle their business, then all of that stuff will take care of itself. You don’t have to worry about who you’re playing.”

The Eagles rank fifth in points allowed per game and first in total yards allowed — a major improvement over the previous season in which they ranked 30th in points and 26th in total yards allowed. However, they produced their worst outing in the Vic Fangio era, allowing a season-high 36 points.

While Dawkins is still high on the Eagles, he says the Detroit Lions are the best team in the NFC at the moment. However, he says that means very little when the playoffs roll around.

“Obviously, the Lions have the best record right now, so they’re the best team right now,” says Dawkins. “But that doesn’t mean anything in a couple of weeks. Right now is not when you want to be playing your best football anyway. I’m pretty sure they understand that as well. They’re trying to continue to play their best football. But the best team has the best record and that’s the Lions right now.”

Brian Dawkins Predicts Saquon Barkley to Break Rushing Record

Saquon Barkley’s 150-yard, two-touchdown performance was also wasted in the loss. However, he remains on track to have a chance at breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards. Barkley is currently on pace for 2,083 yards. Dawkins believes Barkley will break the record — as long as the Eagles have something to play for in Week 18 when they take on the New York Giants.

“It could be tough if they decide at some point the No. 1 seed is completely out of reach and then that could be something where they want to rest their guys,” says Dawkins of the only way Barkley doesn’t break the single-season rushing record. “At that point, that will be the only thing to stop it. If he plays the next couple of games and they go out and play ball, then he’ll get it. That’s the philosophy of the organization and the coach, we’ll rest our guys and not let him get beat up and to make sure he’s fresh and healthy for the playoff run. And that would be the only thing — in my opinion — that can stop him.”

Although Dawkins wouldn’t make a prediction on who will win the Super Bowl or who will represent the AFC in the big game, he says his former team, the Eagles, will represent the NFC in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

“I have no idea,” says Dawkins when asked of his Super Bowl prediction. “You can’t put me on the spot, there are too many variables. I believe the Eagles will be in it.”

Brian Dawkins on Kidney Disease Awareness

The former longtime Eagles and Hall of Fame safety is speaking on behalf of his partnership with Boehringer & Lilly on behalf of their It Takes 2 campaign to spread awareness about kidney disease — especially for those who are not aware that they have it.

“Boehringer & and Lilly allows me to be a part of something that I believe is going to touch a lot of people,” says Dawkins. “The reason why I’m a part of it is because of my parents. The It Takes 2 campaign basically takes you and your doctor, that’s two and it takes two tests. It’s a blood and a urine test to see if you are one of 35 million individuals in America that have kidney disease. But 90% don’t know they have it. Once I found this information out, I had to make sure that my parents understood where they were.”

The 51-year-old details further why this is an important cause for him, mentioning that his parents battle high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.

“They both have battled high blood pressure and they both have Type 2 diabetes,” says Dawkins. “Those are the two kinds of markers. I’m very proactive about my health, I’m proactive when I find information out, I want to make sure that I go ahead and take care of what I can on this side of things. I can use my platform now to allow people who may be in those 30-to-35 million people in America that particularly have kidney disease. I want to do my best to help them so that they get these tests done so they can stay here healthy longer.”