The Philadelphia Eagles are heading to the Super Bowl, and much of the credit belongs to Saquon Barkley. After a dominant season, the star running back has cemented himself as one of the game’s greatest. His explosive performances, including a standout showing in the NFC Championship game, have propelled the Eagles to the biggest stage in football.
An Electrifying Playoff Run
Barkley’s playoff performances have been nothing short of legendary. He rushed for 442 yards and five touchdowns across three games, including a 118-yard, three-touchdown game against the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship. His efforts contributed to the Eagles setting a Super Bowl-era postseason record with seven rushing touchdowns in a single game.
Reflecting on the moment, Barkley told FOX, “I ain’t gonna lie. I tried to downplay it in my head, but it’s amazing, man. It’s amazing. We’re here. Super Bowl. But the goal wasn’t just getting there. The goal’s to win.”
A Record-Breaking Regular Season
Barkley’s dominant postseason follows a historic regular season in which he became just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards. Despite missing the season finale, he still managed to accomplish this incredible feat, proving himself as the heart of the Eagles’ offense.
His stellar performance earned him an NFL MVP nomination—an honor rarely given to running backs. Although quarterbacks Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson remain favorites, Barkley’s impact cannot be overstated. As former teammate Elijhaa Penny put it, “Everybody saw it. We all knew it. Just in Philly, he’s got the right people around him.”
A Homecoming with a Purpose
Barkley’s move from the New York Giants to the Eagles was fueled by a desire to prove his worth. He felt disrespected by contract negotiations with the Giants and sought a fresh start. His return to Pennsylvania, where he grew up, was more than symbolic—it was transformative.
“When I first thought of it, I was like, I feel bad for Saquon because I know he’s a loyal guy,” Penny said. “But (we saw) him land in Philly with a better situation with the offensive line, better front office, better management right now.”
Defining Moments of the Season
Barkley wasted no time making an impact. In the season’s first three games, he rushed for 351 yards and four touchdowns. His defining moment came in Week 7 against his former team, the Giants, when he torched them for 176 yards and a touchdown.
Then, in Week 9, he delivered a jaw-dropping play against the Jaguars—a reverse, no-look hurdle over a defender that head coach Nick Sirianni called “the best play” he had ever seen. His production continued throughout the season, including a franchise-record 255-yard game against the Rams.
By Week 17, he surpassed 2,000 rushing yards, falling just short of Eric Dickerson’s all-time single-season record. However, his dominance has carried into the postseason, where he now sits just 30 yards shy of breaking Terrell Davis’ single-season rushing record, combining regular season and playoffs.
Praise from Teammates and the League
Barkley’s performances have left teammates and opponents in awe. Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata struggled to find words after the NFC Championship game, telling NFL Network, “Speechless. The guy is special, man.” Cornerback Darius Slay echoed the sentiment, saying, “Man, that man so good… ain’t nobody seen no running back like this.”
A Legacy in the Making
Barkley has proven himself to be a generational talent. Since being drafted in 2018, he has faced enormous expectations. His college dominance at Penn State translated seamlessly into the NFL, and he has only improved with time.
Penny, who played alongside him, believes Barkley has already secured his place among the all-time greats. “I think Saquon Barkley is the best running back ever to play this game,” he said. “He just checks every single box… There’s nobody in the history of the game that’s like Saquon Barkley.”
With the Kansas City Chiefs standing between him and a Super Bowl ring, Barkley has the chance to solidify his legacy. If his season so far is any indication, history is on his side.