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Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles running back, made an immediate and remarkable impact following his move from the New York Giants in 2024. After spending five years with the Giants, Barkley signed a lucrative deal with the Eagles, quickly justifying the investment with a series of impressive performances throughout his debut season.
His outstanding contributions played a significant role in the Eagles’ triumphant campaign, which culminated in their victory at Super Bowl LIX under coach Nick Sirianni. Barkley’s swift adaptation to his new team and his dynamic play on the field made him a pivotal figure in Philadelphia’s championship run.
An extraordinary 2024 season
During the 2024 regular season, Barkley came close to rewriting the record books. By the time Week 18 arrived, he had amassed 13 touchdowns and an impressive 2,005 rushing yards—just 101 yards shy of surpassing Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing yards record. Despite this, Barkley, along with several other key Eagles players, was rested in the final game after the team secured the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs, ending his chance to break the historic mark.
In addition to his near-record rushing total, Barkley set new NFL records for the most rushing yards (2,504) and scrimmage yards (2,857) in a full season. These outstanding achievements earned him the distinction of being ranked the best player in the NFL by his peers, as reflected in the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 list.
Despite the high expectations following his breakthrough year, Barkley encountered difficulties in 2025. After a visit to the White House in April of that year, his performance notably declined, with the running back tallying only 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns, approximately half of his production from the previous season.
Nevertheless, Barkley’s initial success and the record-setting 2024 campaign remain a testament to his talent and impact since joining the Eagles. His lucrative contract and subsequent extension reflect the team’s confidence in his abilities, despite the challenges faced in the following season.
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