How Saquon Barkley Bolted to Philly, Won a Super Bowl, and Might Have Started a Running Back Revolution

How Saquon Barkley Bolted to Philly, Won a Super Bowl, and Might Have Started a Running Back Revolution

NEW ORLEANS — Picture this: Howie Roseman, the Philadelphia Eagles’ executive vice president, is deep in conversation with his senior aides and personnel team at the NovaCare Sports Complex in South Philly. It’s January 2023, and the Eagles are strategizing for the offseason. They are on the brink of a Super Bowl run, which, unfortunately, ends in a heart-wrenching loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. But Roseman and his team are already looking ahead, discussing potential additions that could bring them back to the big stage.

One name that comes up is Saquon Barkley, the New York Giants running back, who is set to become a free agent. The Eagles have faced Barkley numerous times since he joined the league in 2018, and while they’ve mostly kept him in check, they know the kind of threat he poses. “It’s really hard to find difference-makers at any position,” a team source notes. “With a guy like [Barkley], positional considerations become less of a focus.”

However, the Giants place the franchise tag on Barkley, and the Eagles move on. Fast forward to January 2024, and Barkley’s name resurfaces as a potential target for the Eagles. This time, it’s a more serious consideration, even though it would mean deviating from the franchise’s usual approach of not paying top dollar for running backs. The last time the Eagles made a significant investment in a running back was in 2015 with Demarco Murray, a move that didn’t pan out as expected.

But Barkley is different. He’s the kind of player that Eagles scouts have dreamed of acquiring. So, when free agency opens, Philadelphia makes the bold move to sign Barkley. Eleven months later, Barkley helps lead the Eagles to their second Super Bowl title with a 40-22 victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. Although the Chiefs manage to limit Barkley to 57 rushing yards on 25 carries, his 2,504 combined regular-season and playoff yards set a new NFL record.

The excitement surrounding Barkley’s potential was palpable from the moment he joined the Eagles. Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland recalls his reaction to the news: “I was like ‘Holy cow. This is going to be unbelievable.'” Running backs coach Jemal Singleton even introduced himself as “Saquon Barkley’s running backs coach” when the news broke.

Barkley’s acquisition raises questions about the value of running backs in the NFL, especially given the position’s declining status. But Barkley answers those questions with one of the finest seasons by a running back in NFL history. Now, the debate centers on whether his performance has shifted the league’s perception of running backs and what it means for Barkley’s future.

As the Eagles prepared for Super Bowl LIX, NFL scouts gathered in Mobile, Alabama, for the Senior Bowl. One veteran scout pondered the term “generational talent” and concluded that no player in this year’s draft class fit the description. “That’s Myles Garrett, Saquon Barkley, guys like that,” the scout said.

Despite the risks associated with Barkley’s injury history, the Eagles’ decision to sign him was seen as a “no-brainer” by many NFL executives. “Based on their offense, you figured he’d have a good year — not sure anybody knew he’d be [an] MVP [candidate],” an AFC executive said. Barkley’s ability to adapt to an offense with a dual-threat quarterback and two high-end receivers was a key factor in his success.

His performances this season have become legendary in Philadelphia. A few highlights include:

• 147 yards and 2 touchdowns on 17 rushes in a Week 3 win over the Saints.
• 176 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries against the Giants in Week 7.
• A 26-carry, 255-yard, 2-touchdown performance against the Rams in Week 12.

In the NFC Championship Game, Barkley set the tone with a 60-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, leaving the Washington Commanders’ defense scrambling. “Rare change of direction, spins, jump cuts, vision behind the line,” Commanders coach Dan Quinn said of Barkley.

The Eagles’ offensive line played a crucial role in Barkley’s success, with their synchronized blocking creating opportunities for him to shine. Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen noted the challenge of facing such a formidable line, saying, “They can block out the sun … probably the biggest line we’ve gone against.”

Looking ahead, Barkley is not seen as a one-hit wonder but as a player the Eagles can build around. He’s due a $1.17 million base salary in 2025, along with a $9.843 million option bonus. The Eagles will likely consider extending his contract, but only if the terms are low-risk.

Barkley’s impact extends beyond his own legacy. His success has reignited the conversation about the value of running backs in the NFL. As one AFC executive put it, “It’s about time running backs start getting credibility.” Barkley’s performance this season has set the stage for a potential shift in how teams view the position.

As the NFL landscape evolves, Barkley’s influence will be felt by future running backs entering the league. His transcendent talent has not only elevated his own status but also paved the way for others to follow in his footsteps.