New Orleans, LA—-Saquon Barkley’s journey from being overlooked in New York to becoming a key player in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl run didn’t happen overnight. It was a transformation years in the making.
The Road to Recovery:
Barkley, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Penn State, started his career strong. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons, quickly establishing himself as one of the league’s most dynamic running backs. However, his trajectory took a devastating turn in 2020 when, just 19 carries into the season, he tore the ACL and meniscus of his right knee. His season was over after only two games.
The physical recovery was grueling, but the mental aspect proved even more challenging. Though he returned in 2021 and started 13 games for the Giants, regaining full confidence in his knee took time. Many athletes who suffer ACL injuries say the rehabilitation process extends beyond just physical healing—it takes years to trust the knee again fully.
That mental breakthrough for Barkley came last spring, just as the Giants hesitated to offer him a long-term contract. Instead, New York committed $160 million to quarterback Daniel Jones while allowing Barkley to test free agency. He ultimately signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles.
A Fresh Start in Philadelphia:
One of Barkley’s first moves as an Eagle was to work out with quarterback Jalen Hurts in the offseason. His former Penn State position coach, Charles Huff, now the head coach at Southern Mississippi, noticed a shift in Barkley’s mentality.
“I know this offseason, a lot of it was about mental strength and confidence,” Huff told NBC News. “You talk about an ACL injury—there’s nine months of just physical rehab. But that doesn’t automatically make you the same player you were before.”
Now, Barkley is proving he’s more than back—he’s making history. He has become only the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single season, and he enters the Super Bowl just 30 yards shy of breaking Terrell Davis’ record of 2,447 rushing yards in a single season (including playoffs).
Fueled by Doubt:
Barkley thrives on proving doubters wrong. Huff described his motivation as a drive to demonstrate his abilities rather than to hold grudges.
“He is motivated when someone says, ‘You can’t,’” Huff said. “It’s not about proving people wrong—it’s about proving to himself that he can.”
Barkley’s meticulous attention to detail has always set him apart. At Penn State, he would compete in offensive playbook drills, accurately diagramming plays down to route depths and offensive line protections—knowledge typically reserved for quarterbacks.
His obsession with mastery deepened after reading Kobe Bryant’s The Mamba Mentality. That same focus was evident in October when, despite being just 13 yards away from setting a personal rushing record, he declined to re-enter a blowout win against the Giants. He prioritized the team over individual stats.
“He’s the type of guy who would rather win a Super Bowl than win a rushing title,” Huff said.
A Perfect Fit in Philadelphia:
While Barkley’s personal growth played a major role in his resurgence, the supporting cast around him also made a difference. The Eagles’ offensive line, widely regarded as the best in the NFL, has been a key factor in his success. In contrast, the Giants’ offensive line was ranked the worst in the league by Pro Football Focus in 2023.
Philadelphia’s rushing attack dominated all season, amassing 3,048 rushing yards in the regular season and averaging 227 yards per game in the playoffs—second only to Baltimore.
Former NFL quarterback and NBC Sports analyst Chris Simms even compared the Eagles’ offensive line to the legendary 1990’s Dallas Cowboys unit that helped Emmitt Smith become the league’s all-time leading rusher.
The Eagles’ line features multiple Pro Bowlers and All-Pro selections, including tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata, guard Landon Dickerson, and center Cam Jurgens. Their dominance has helped Barkley return to elite form and could potentially reshape the market for running backs, which has been stagnant in recent years.
“That’s how football works,” Barkley told reporters. “When players at a certain position dominate, the money follows.”
His resurgence has been years in the making, but now, Barkley isn’t just proving he’s still one of the best—he’s leading his team to the biggest stage in football.
