Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said he believes his best years are still ahead, despite a standout season in 2024. Barkley, who surpassed 2,000 rushing yards to become only the ninth player in league history to achieve that milestone in a single season, explained to Greg Bishop of Sports Illustrated that he considers the upcoming 2025 campaign as the beginning of his prime.
At age 28, Barkley dismissed common concerns about running backs’ performance declining with age and cited other successful players who excelled at similar stages of their careers. He named Curtis Martin, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and Fred Taylor as examples.
“That [past prime] notion is so funny,” Barkley said. “It’s bunk, all the running-back-position-is-dying [stuff]. You got wide receivers who [teams] pay all this money to, and when they get into their 30s, they’re not performing at the highest level; you just never hear that. How many quarterbacks can you name who played into their later 30s? Everyone’s not Tom Brady. They have to let that go!”
Barkley also shared insight into his approach for the upcoming season, expressing admiration for golfer Tiger Woods’s sustained success after initial achievements.
“I’m trying to tap more into my Tiger side,” Barkley said. “My Eldrick side, I guess.” (…) “Just being on the prowl. People automatically associate a hell of a year with numbers. That’s not what’s driving me.”
Reflecting on his evolution as an athlete, Barkley compared himself early in his career to boxer Mike Tyson for seeking quick results and now likens his playing style to Floyd Mayweather Jr., noting an increase in patience while maintaining explosive abilities.
He stated: “And then, when the time comes, when you slip, I still have the power and speed to take it to the house.”
The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year aims to help Philadelphia contend for another Super Bowl title this season.
