Saquon Barkley Named Best NFL Player at the ESPYs

Eagles fans celebrate the remarkable achievements of Saquon Barkley during his record-breaking season.

News Summary

Saquon Barkley has earned recognition as the Best NFL Player at the ESPYs following his remarkable first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. He broke longstanding records with 2,504 rushing yards and played a vital role in the team’s Super Bowl success. Barkley’s impressive tally of 15 touchdowns and an NFL record for long rushing touchdowns were pivotal in the Eagles’ playoffs. His transition to the Eagles marked a key turning point in his career, highlighting his athletic prowess and the team’s elite standing in professional football.

Philadelphia, PA

Saquon Barkley has made headlines this week after being named Best NFL Player at the ESPYs, thanks to a record-setting first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Barkley’s exceptional performance broke longstanding NFL records and played a pivotal role in the Eagles’ Super Bowl success.

During the 2024 NFL season, Barkley established himself as a remarkable athlete by accumulating a staggering 2,504 rushing yards when combining both regular season and playoff statistics. This remarkable feat shattered the previous record that had stood for more than 25 years, further solidifying Barkley’s place in NFL history. Additionally, he became only the ninth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a regular season, leading the league with 2,005 rushing yards in the regular season alone.

Barkley’s season was also highlighted by an impressive tally of 15 touchdowns, including an NFL record of seven rushing touchdowns exceeding 60 yards. His performance in the playoffs was equally outstanding, with an average of 124.8 rushing yards per game and scoring 1.3 touchdowns per game.

While Barkley’s accomplishments on the field were remarkable, his memorable hurdle against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a Week 9 game on November 3, 2024, became the focal point of his award-winning season. This iconic hurdle earned Barkley the award for Best Play at the ESPYs, and it was a defining moment that contributed to the Eagles’ successful playoff campaign. In that game, Barkley amassed 199 total yards, comprising 159 rushing yards and 40 receiving yards, while also scoring two touchdowns.

In recognition of his on-field achievements, Barkley received the AP Offensive Player of the Year honors and attained first-team All-Pro status for his performance during the season. Head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged that the hurdle was the best play he had ever seen, underscoring its significance in both Barkley’s career and the team’s overall success.

The Philadelphia Eagles, led by Barkley, concluded the regular season with an impressive 14-3 record and achieved a total of 18 wins overall, which ties the NFL record for most wins in a season. The team excelled in the playoffs, highlighted by a dominant 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles later triumphed over the Kansas City Chiefs with a score of 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX.

Barkley’s dynamic contributions were integral to the Eagles also achieving an NFL record with 3,866 rushing yards throughout both regular and postseason play. The success of this season not only underscored Barkley’s athletic prowess but also helped elevate the Eagles into elite company within the realm of professional football.

After spending six years with the New York Giants, Barkley’s transition to the Eagles marked a significant turning point in his career. As a key figure in the Eagles’ offensive strategy, Barkley’s impact was felt throughout the league, and his performances will certainly be showcased in the future, including his appearance on the cover of the latest Madden NFL video game.

As the season wraps up, the Eagles have established themselves as one of the premier teams in sports, having secured the Best Team award at the ESPYs, further emphasizing the impact of both Barkley and the entire Eagles organization in NFL history.