Saquon Barkley's Stellar Philadelphia Debut Raises Eyebrows Back in New York
Saquon Barkley's transition to the Philadelphia Eagles has been nothing short of spectacular. After leaving the New York Giants, Barkley is making waves in his debut season with the Eagles, setting sights on potentially record-breaking achievements. Averaging an impressive 6.2 yards per carry, Barkley is charting a course to accumulate 2,151 rushing yards and a staggering 2,548 yards from scrimmage this season. These numbers place him strikingly close to Eric Dickerson's revered 1984 single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards and Chris Johnson's formidable 2009 record of 2,509 scrimmage yards.
Barkley has consistently proven his mettle on the field. Over the span of 11 games, he has amassed 1,392 rushing yards and secured 10 rushing touchdowns. One standout performance was during Week 11 against the Los Angeles Rams, where he achieved an astounding 255 rushing yards and 302 scrimmage yards. This record-breaking potential is underpinned by the robust support of the Eagles’ offensive line, which is ranked third by Pro Football Focus, further enabling Barkley's sterling performance.
From the perspective of contract negotiations, the Giants' proposal could not hold Barkley. They offered a three-year deal worth $11 million annually, but it paled in comparison to the Eagles' offer. Barkley inked a three-year contract valued at $37.75 million, with the possibility of reaching $46.75 million through incentives. Significantly, this deal included $26 million in guarantees, with $24.5 million fully secured at signing, emphasizing the Eagles' commitment to fostering his talent.
This move has drawn notable reactions from within the Giants organization. John Mara, co-owner of the Giants, lamented, "I'll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia." The sentiment captures the regret within the Giants' ranks as Barkley flourishes with a division rival. His agent also expressed frustration at the Giants' negotiation tactics, pointing out, "I know from my agent days just how frustrating and insulting an approach like the Giants took can be to a client." The sense of hindsight is palpable, as another source close to the situation noted, "It's safe to say that Barkley wouldn't be duplicating his performance if he had remained with the Giants."
Barkley’s former Giants teammate Daniel Jones managed to secure his future with a lucrative four-year, $160 million contract. However, Barkley's departure has left a void in the Giants' lineup, raising questions about foreseeable success in their rushing game. The missed opportunity to retain a player of Barkley’s caliber is a lingering regret, as echoed by another source, "Mara probably regrets that he didn't intervene and mandate Barkley's re-signing given how the 2024 season is unfolding."
Barkley's resurgence with the Eagles also brings to light the broader conversation regarding the MVP award for running backs. With Adrian Peterson being the last to earn such an accolade in 2012, Barkley's extraordinary season could potentially reignite this dialogue among voters, bringing much-deserved attention to his efforts on the field.
As the season progresses, Barkley's performance continues to command attention, not only for its pure athleticism and skill but also for the implications it holds for both the Eagles and Giants. Should Barkley maintain his current trajectory, he is poised not only to shatter personal bests and possibly league records but also to define a new chapter of what could have been a prestigious career, both celebrated and envied on opposite sides of the NFC East.