Saquon Barkley has been named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press, recognizing his phenomenal season with the Philadelphia Eagles. The award was announced Thursday night during NFL Honors at the Saenger Theater in New Orleans, just days before Barkley takes the field in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs.
This marks a career-defining moment for Barkley, who became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. His record-breaking performances and game-changing plays made him the clear choice for the prestigious award.
Barkley’s Record-Breaking Season
Barkley had an incredible year, setting multiple records and achieving milestones that placed him among the NFL’s greatest running backs:
- 2,447 rushing yards (regular season + postseason)
- 18 rushing touchdowns
- 6.0 yards per carry average
- Seven touchdown runs of at least 60 yards (NFL record)
- 442 rushing yards in the postseason (6.7 yards per carry, 5 touchdowns)
If Barkley gains 30 rushing yards in the Super Bowl, he will set a new NFL record for the most combined rushing yards in a season, breaking Terrell Davis’ mark of 2,476 yards set in 1998.
Historic Award for Barkley and the Eagles
Barkley is the first Eagles player to ever win the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award, which has been given annually since 1972. He joins a prestigious list of running backs who have received this honor, marking the 28th time a running back has won.
Notable Past Eagles Players in OPOY Voting:
- Randall Cunningham (3rd place in 1988, 2nd in 1990)
- Donovan McNabb (4th in 2000)
- Michael Vick (2nd in 2010)
- LeSean McCoy (2nd in 2013)
- Jalen Hurts (3rd in 2022)
Barkley secured the award with a commanding lead, earning 35 first-place votes out of 50 and accumulating 406 total points. His closest competitor, Lamar Jackson, received 12 first-place votes and 183 points, while Derrick Henry, Josh Allen, and Joe Burrow each received one first-place vote.
Barkley’s Journey: From Giants to Eagles Superstar
Barkley’s first six seasons were spent with the New York Giants, where he showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with injuries and inconsistent team performances. His achievements with the Giants included:
- Two Pro Bowl appearances (2018, 2022)
- 47 total touchdowns
- Nearly 300 receptions
- 1,300+ rushing yards in 2018 and 2022
However, injuries kept him out of 23 games between 2019 and 2023, and the Giants only managed one playoff win during his tenure.
After signing a three-year, $37.5 million contract with the Eagles in March, Barkley proved to be the missing piece in their offense. His performance skyrocketed, especially after Week 6, when he went from 96 rushing yards per game to averaging 140 yards per game in the final 14 contests.
A Historic Late-Season Surge
Barkley’s dominance after Week 7 was nothing short of legendary:
- 140 rushing yards per game
- 6.1 yards per carry
- 14 touchdowns
- 12 100-yard rushing games in the last 14 games
His 14 total 100-yard games in a single season ties an NFL record previously achieved by Barry Sanders and Terrell Davis.
Barkley on His Success:
Barkley credited his offensive line for his incredible performance:
“You don’t rush for 2,000 yards by accident, and you don’t do it alone. I have the best offensive line in the league, maybe one of the best ever. I’ll argue that all day.”
Drawing Comparisons to Marshall Faulk
Barkley’s career trajectory is drawing comparisons to Marshall Faulk, who started with the Indianapolis Colts but became a Hall of Famer after joining the St. Louis Rams in 1999.
Barkley himself embraced the comparison:
“When you think of Marshall Faulk, do you think of the Colts or the Rams? That’s my goal—to leave my legacy here in Philadelphia.”
Other Eagles Standouts in Award Voting
The Eagles had multiple players recognized in NFL Honors voting:
Defensive Rookie of the Year Voting:
- Quinyon Mitchell (2nd place – 239 points)
- Cooper DeJean (4th place – 91 points)
Defensive Player of the Year Voting:
- Zack Baun (5th place – 114 points)
Assistant Coach of the Year Voting:
- Vic Fangio (4th place – 109 points)
This marks the second consecutive year the Eagles had a runner-up in Defensive Rookie of the Year, following Jalen Carter’s 2nd place finish in 2023.
