Saquon Barkley is on pace for an historic season. The six-foot running back is setting records for the Philadelphia Eagles and is likely to set more as he seems to only get stronger.
On Monday, Dec. 1, the Eagles defeated the Baltimore Ravens, a fellow playoff contender, in a 24-19 victory. While he started slow, Barkley thrived in the game, finishing with 107 yards and scoring a 25-yard touchdown.
This season, Barkley has rushed 1,499 yards through 12 games, averaging 124.9 yards per game, which put him at the top of the league for the most rushing yards this season. He has scored 11 touchdowns for the birds.
Eric Dickerson currently holds the single-season rushing record for the NFL, rushing 2105 yards in 1984 with the Los Angeles Rams. Barkley needs 606 yards over the season’s final five games to break the record, averaging 121 yards per game.
Barkley also has a shot at the Eagles’ single-season rushing record previously set in 2013 by LeSean McCoy. He is only 108 yards away with five games to go.
After a 2-2 start, the Eagles shifted pace and have become legitimate Super Bowl contenders. They are now 10-2, winning the last eight games in a row.
Barkley is known for his ability to come in clutch for his team. Of his 1,499 yards this season, 982 have come after halftime, and 481 in the fourth quarter.
After the win, Barkley gave his perspective.
“My mindset goes right to the locker room to enjoy the win… I’m having a blast.” He went on to say, “It’s a blessing having coaches who trust me, that can lean on me,” Barkley said. “We’re really good at a lot of things, but we’ve just got to keep trusting the system – just got to keep trusting the guys up front.”
Lane Johnson, veteran Philadelphia offensive tackle, commented on Barkley, saying, “You have [Barkley] back there, and he can make you look better.”
In his rookie season for the New York Giants, Barkley played in every game. He was their second overall pick in the 2018 draft and went on to spend his first six seasons with them.
Barkley then signed a three year, $37.75 million free agent deal with Philadelphia. The Eagles play in Allentown, where Barkley went to high school.
Barkley comes from a boxing family; his father was an amateur boxer and his great uncle a professional and world champion.
Barkley was honored as the Giants’ Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year candidate in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, Barkley has earned a spot in the Pro Bowl twice and was named a finalist for the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2022. He was also NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and produced the Giants rookie records with 1,307 rushing yards, 91 catches and 15 touchdowns.
Off the field, Barkley has made an impact as well. He created the Michael Ann and Saquon Barkley Hope Foundation. The group aims to “support the goals and dreams of youth through scholarships, educational assistance and athletics guidance.” He also established the Saquon Barkley Center of Excellence with St. Luke’s University Health Network in Whitehall, PA. with the mission to provide opportunities to underserved youth, particularly with physical activity and academics.
According to CBS Sports, “There’s no denying the MVP candidacy Saquon Barkley is putting up in his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles […] Barkley is still having a historic season and one of the best 12-game starts to a season in NFL history. He certainly has a case to be the first running back to win league MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012.”
