Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of greatness took a historic turn during Super Bowl LIX as the Philadelphia Eagles star running back set a new single-season rushing record, including playoffs. In a season filled with milestones, Barkley capped off his dominant campaign by helping lead the Eagles to a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, securing his first Super Bowl ring while etching his name into the record books.
Originally, Barkley had been on pace to challenge Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson’s long-standing single-season rushing record. However, the Eagles opted to rest him in the final game of the regular season, prioritizing fresh legs for the playoffs.
That strategy paid off as Barkley continued his dominance in the postseason, ultimately surpassing Hall of Famer Terrell Davis' record for most rushing yards in a season, including playoffs. His 57-yard performance in the Super Bowl pushed his season total to 2,504 rushing yards, making him the first player in NFL history to surpass 2,500 rushing yards in a single campaign.
Barkley also joined elite company, becoming just the third player in league history to lead the NFL in rushing and win a Super Bowl in the same season. Only Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith and Denver Broncos great Terrell Davis had accomplished that feat before him.
“Hell of a year,” Barkley said after the game. “I couldn’t have done it without the big boys up front and everyone on this team. The Eagles organization welcomed me with open arms, and they helped build my confidence back up. That was definitely a big part of this season. The numbers and stats are great, but the best part is holding that Lombardi Trophy.”
Entering the game, Barkley needed just 30 yards to surpass Davis’ 1998 mark of 2,476 rushing yards. He officially claimed the record on a two-yard run just before halftime, a moment that added yet another milestone to his already remarkable season. Though Kansas City’s defense made stopping Barkley a priority, limiting him to just 31 yards on 12 carries in the first half, that focus allowed the Eagles’ passing attack and defense to take control.
By halftime, Philadelphia had built a commanding 24-0 lead, leaving the Chiefs with little chance to mount a comeback.
Barkley was also named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, an honor that further validated his dominant season. In addition to his new rushing record, he also surpassed Davis' previous record for most scrimmage yards in a season, including playoffs.
Barkley needed only three yards to break Davis’ 1998 total of 2,762 scrimmage yards, a mark he eclipsed in the first quarter on a short two-yard carry.
Reflecting on his accomplishments, Barkley remained humble, acknowledging the team effort that led to his success.
“It’s cool,” Barkley said. “But the most important thing was winning the Super Bowl. If we didn’t win today, all those accolades and yards wouldn’t mean anything. So yeah, I appreciate the records, but I love that Lombardi Trophy a little bit more.”
Barkley had been rewriting the record books throughout the postseason. His performance in the NFC Championship Game against the Washington Commanders saw him surpass Davis' 1997 mark of 2,331 rushing yards, which at the time had ranked second all-time.
Prior to that, he had already solidified his place in history by breaking the 2,000-yard rushing barrier in the regular season, finishing with 2,005 yards. That total ranked as the eighth-best single-season rushing performance of all time.
Barkley also became the ninth player ever to rush for 2,000 yards in a regular season—and the first to accomplish the feat after switching teams.
Barkley’s journey from former New York Giants standout to Eagles legend is now complete. In just his first year with Philadelphia, he delivered one of the greatest individual seasons in NFL history, leading the league in rushing, setting multiple records, and finishing the campaign as a Super Bowl champion.
His move from New York to Philadelphia has now gone down as one of the most successful free-agent signings in league history, proving that sometimes, a fresh start is all a player needs to reach their full potential.
