Saquon Barkley's Relentless Rise Is Redefining What Greatness Looks Like at Running Back
Saquon Barkley's Relentless Rise Is Redefining What Greatness Looks Like at Running Back originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Saquon Barkley is methodically building one of the most compelling cases for greatest running back of all time, and he's doing it with the quiet confidence of someone who knows exactly what he's chasing. After a historic 2024 season that culminated in a Super Bowl LIX victory, the Philadelphia Eagles superstar has positioned himself in rarified air with achievements that no other player in NFL history has accomplished.
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Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season, becoming just the ninth player in league history to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark. Including the playoffs, he set the record for most rushing yards in a single season with 2,504 yards and became the only player in NFL history to compile over 2,800 scrimmage yards in one season when postseason play is included. His seven touchdown runs of 60-plus yards last season represent an NFL record, with three of those coming in the playoffs—a feat no other player has accomplished over an entire playoff career.
'I don't mean it in an arrogant way. I want to be the best running back to ever play, or at least one of the best running backs to ever play,' Barkley previously told reporters. 'Don't think there's a way you can prove who's the best. But that's always been my motivation.'
Through seven seasons, the former second overall pick has accumulated three Pro Bowl selections, an All-Pro nod, the 2018 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year award, and the 2024 AP Offensive Player of the Year award. He's even graced the Madden cover, immortalized by his signature reverse hurdle against Jacksonville. Yet Barkley believes his best football still lies ahead.
'I feel like I'm entering my prime,' he said. 'I just gotta continue to have the mindset of listening to everyone, buying into whatever they want me to do. Whatever they want me to do, try to do it at the best of my ability.'
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The transition from New York to Philadelphia proved transformative. After six seasons with the Giants—where he routinely carried underperforming offenses—Barkley finally landed in an environment that maximized his talents. The Eagles gave him the offensive line, quarterback, and system needed to thrive. The result was a championship run that shattered expectations and redefined what a running back could achieve in today's NFL.
A second 2,000-yard season would move Barkley into uncharted territory. No player has ever done it twice. If he pulls it off, it won't just elevate his legacy—it will force a reexamination of what the standard for all-time greatness truly is. That type of sustained production would separate him from icons like Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith, and Barry Sanders.
'I think that would be pretty cool,' Barkley said of potentially reaching 2,000 yards again. 'But I didn't go into last year with the mindset of rushing for 2,000 yards. It's kind of just happened. ... I just try to take care of the little things first, and everything else that I want to accomplish, all the things that you have to accomplish to become great, to create your legacy and become a Hall of Fame player, I just try to take care of that, and the rest will take care of itself.'
His mindset is clear: greatness isn't declared, it's earned. Barkley blends physical dominance with mental discipline and poise in the biggest moments. His game carries shades of the greats—Jim Brown's power, Walter Payton's versatility, Emmitt Smith's resilience, Barry Sanders' explosiveness—while adding his own signature brand of speed and fluidity.
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What makes Barkley's rise even more remarkable is the era in which it's occurring. In a time when running backs are viewed as interchangeable, he's proving that a transcendent player at the position still matters. Barkley isn't just producing—he's defining game plans and opening up the offense for his teammates. His value, both statistical and intangible, is undeniable.
At 28, with a Super Bowl ring secured and more prime years ahead, Barkley is positioned to continue rewriting records and reshaping the running back conversation. His path to the Hall of Fame is well underway—but his sights are set even higher.
The greatest running back debate may never yield a definitive winner. But if Barkley keeps playing at this level, his name won't just be in the conversation. It might one day lead it.
Related: 'Quiet' Zack Baun Poised For Major Difference with Philadelphia Eagles
Related: Backfield Duo Could Define Eagles Offense in 2025
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
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