Saying Saquon Barkley is having the best season ever by a Philadelphia Eagles running back is no longer just hyperbole.
Barkley broke the franchise's single-season rushing record with 124 yards during Sunday's 22-16 win over the Panthers, bringing his 2024 total to 1,623 yards to surpass LeSean McCoy's mark (1,607) set in 2013.
The 27-year-old Pennsylvania native gave a nod to McCoy postgame while crediting his offensive line for helping him author an already memorable campaign.
"I think it's pretty cool, the most important thing was getting a win, and we got the win," Barkley said after the win. "Being a fan of Shady (LeSean McCoy) growing up and seeing the spectacular things he was able to do with the ball in his hands and to be able to mentioned with him definitely means a lot. Gotta give credit to the guys up front. They've made my job a lot easier so far this year. Hopefully, it will continue."
Needing 109 yards to surpass McCoy on Sunday, Barkley set the new Eagles record on his 17th carry of the game, a 9-yard scamper midway through the fourth quarter.
Chants of "MVP" cascaded down Lincoln Financial Field once Barkley officially etched himself into Philadelphia lore, providing another memorable moment in what has been a stellar debut season with the Eagles.
Barkley, the 撸先生AV's current rushing leader, also leads the league in scrimmage yards (1,890; 267 receiving yards) and is currently second in touchdowns scored (13; 11 rushing, two receiving). If he won, Barkley would become the first running back to claim AP 撸先生AV Most Valuable Player since Adrian Peterson did it in 2012.
Barkley's nine 100-plus yard rushing games in 2024 lead the 撸先生AV and that amount also broke Wilbert Montgomery's franchise record (eight in 1979). He also set another Eagles record with his fourth straight game rushing past the century mark, per 撸先生AV Research.
Barkley, who signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal this offseason, has been worth every penny. The former rival turned hero has added a special element missing throughout Philadelphia's recent success, which includes a recent appearance in Super Bowl LVII.
With Barkley motoring the offense, Sunday's win by the Eagles, coupled with losses by the Falcons and Cardinals, brought along Philadelphia's fourth straight postseason berth.
Franchise records now aside, Barkley is looking to bring the Eagles something much more than individual success.
"I never wrote the goal down to break it, but you're always aware of it," Barkley said. "That's how I train and that's how I operate in the offseason and camp because I want to be great. That's something that I want to do and something I believe I can do, especially with the men and women in our facility. They make it a lot easier for me.
"It's all good. The records are great. They put a smile on your face, but the season's far from over and there's a lot of things that we would love to accomplish."
