As Saquon Barkley celebrated his Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, a renewed appreciation for the NFL running back position emerged. Barkley's presence, albeit without groundbreaking individual statistics in the final game, was crucial in the Eagles' decisive 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. This victory not only redeemed their previous Super Bowl loss but also halted the Chiefs' pursuit of a historic third consecutive title.
Throughout the season, Barkley showcased his immense talent by setting records and turning the spotlight back on a position that many thought was losing its luster in modern football. This feat was achieved despite a modest 57-yard effort on 25 carries in the Super Bowl, as Barkley consistently drew the Chiefs' defense towards him, creating opportunities for star receivers like DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Quarterback Jalen Hurts maximized these chances, achieving nearly 300 yards of offense and three touchdowns.
Historically, a dynamic running back has often proven to be a quarterback's best asset in the race for championships. This was true for legends such as John Elway, whose Super Bowl successes were significantly bolstered by joining forces with fellow Hall of Famer Terrell Davis. Barkley not only lived up to this legacy but surpassed it by breaking Davis' longstanding record of all-time rushing yards in a single season with 2,504 yards, including playoffs.
In stark contrast to Barkley's success, the Chiefs struggled without a strong ground game. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was left exposed by a vulnerable offensive line, handing off the ball just seven times during the match. The Chiefs' trio of running backs managed a mere 24 yards collectively, emphasizing the team's need for a player like Barkley to balance their offense.
Barkley's historic season marked the revival of NFL running backs, a position that made a significant comeback with veteran players switching teams and achieving impressive benchmarks. Notably, Derrick Henry led the Ravens with 1,921 rushing yards and an NFL-best 16 touchdowns, while Aaron Jones delivered career highs for the Vikings with 1,138 yards. Every running back moved to a new team contributed meaningfully to their respective teams' playoff runs.
However, it was Barkley who stole the spotlight, winning the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. His relentless performance set a benchmark not only for his contemporaries but also for the future of NFL running backs. By scoring seven touchdowns of over 60 yards, including the postseason, Barkley topped a record previously held jointly with Terrell Davis. Only he and Davis have achieved the rare feat of at least 400 yards rushing and five touchdowns in a single postseason.
Barkley's sentiment following this landmark win was heartfelt and reflective of his priorities: It was a hell of a year, but all of the numbers and stats or records are cool, but the best thing is to be able to hold that Lombardi Trophy. His journey serves as a compelling reminder of the unique role and value that a top-tier running back can bring to an NFL team's championship aspirations.