The time has come to re-evaluate the undervalued running back role in the NFL, particularly after Saquon Barkley significantly contributed to the Philadelphia Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in what turned out to be one of the most lopsided Super Bowls in history. Barkley concluded an impressive year for free-agent running backs by celebrating with the Lombardi Trophy following the Eagles’ decisive 40-22 win against the Chiefs. This triumph not only avenged a painful Super Bowl defeat from two years prior but also halted Patrick Mahomes and his team’s hopes for a third consecutive championship.
During the game, Barkley managed to rush for a modest 57 yards on 25 carries, crediting the Chiefs’ defensive unit led by Steve Spagnuolo for keeping him in check. However, his true value was demonstrated in his ability to draw additional defenders into the box, thus creating more opportunities for his teammates. As a result, players like DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, and Jahan Dotson were able to make pivotal catches, allowing quarterback Jalen Hurts to complete nearly 300 yards and throw for three touchdowns while only missing on five passes.
Reflecting on historic quarterback performances, John Elway experienced setbacks in his early Super Bowl appearances but thrived once running back Terrell Davis joined him in the Denver Broncos’ offensive lineup. Elway often remarked, “A great running back is a quarterback’s best friend,” highlighting the integral role running backs play in a team’s success.
In a remarkable feat, Barkley eclipsed Terrell Davis’ all-time single-season rushing record by halftime, becoming the first player to surpass 2,500 total rushing yards when counting playoffs. Meanwhile, Mahomes found himself lacking a robust running attack during the game. The Chiefs had struggled with a porous offensive line, forcing Mahomes to hand off the ball just seven times, leading to a disheartening 34-0 deficit before they could gain any significant ground.
Other running backs also faced challenges, as Kareem Hunt accumulated only 9 yards on three carries, Isiah Pacheco managed 7 yards on three attempts, and Samaje Perine recorded an 8-yard gain on his sole carry. Much like his partner, Hurts, who led the Eagles with 72 rushing yards, Mahomes emerged as Kansas City’s leading rusher with just 25 yards on four carries. Most of his time was spent avoiding the Eagles’ formidable defensive line, which sacked him six times and forced multiple turnovers without needing to send extra blitzers.
Barkley’s season finished with a staggering total of 2,504 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, marking a notable resurgence for running backs in the NFL. This season began with numerous veteran players transitioning to new teams and making immediate impacts by driving their squads toward playoff contention. Derrick Henry, for instance, left Tennessee for Baltimore, resulting in 1,921 rushing yards and an NFL-leading 16 touchdowns, complemented by 270 yards and three touchdowns in the playoffs.
Similarly, Aaron Jones transitioned from Green Bay to rival Minnesota, achieving career highs with 255 carries for 1,138 rushing yards alongside seven touchdowns. The Packers replaced him with Josh Jacobs, who moved from Las Vegas and amassed 1,329 yards and a personal-best 15 touchdowns. Joe Mixon also found a new home with the Texans, contributing 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns, adding 194 yards and two touchdowns during the playoffs.
Ultimately, Barkley stood out among his peers, earning the title of AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. He entered the Super Bowl only 30 yards short of breaking Davis’ remarkable record set in 1998, during which Davis played a crucial role in the Broncos securing their second consecutive Super Bowl. Barkley’s record-setting seven touchdowns of over 60 yards also placed him alongside only Davis as one of the few players to accumulate at least 400 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a single postseason. In his own words, Barkley reflected on the year by stating, “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.”
