It turns out that the reports of the death of the dominant gap back in the NFL were very exaggerated.
There have been many “hot grips” in recent years that the backs are devalued in the NFL. And it is true that crimes are generally more passport-heavy than ever before and that the reality in salary can make it more careful not to invest high first choices and exceptionally lucrative contracts on back slopes.
In addition, it can be a wise approach to find the best value to run back and save dollars that can be spread to other positions.
But there are exceptions.
The Philadelphia Eagles understood this – and that is the main reason why they are in the Super Bowl Lix and are facing Kansas City Chief’s next Sunday in Caesar’s Superdome.
Eagles CEO Jeffrey Lurie, head of Howie Roseman, head coach Nick Sirianni and the offensive coordinator Kellen Moore knew that Saquon Barkley was exceptional after seeing him stand out for six seasons with NFC East Rival Giants.
Lurie explained Eagles thought process shortly after signing the former giant to a three -year, $ 37.75 million contract last season.
“We are always looking for inefficiency in the market,” Lurie said at an owner meeting in March last year. “And if we think the league overestimates the position or underestimates a position, we will do our best … (to) take advantage of these inefficiency.”
Responding slopes were clearly underestimated, and the Eagles saw the value in a rare recovery like Barkley, which rushed for 2,005 meters this season, the eighth most in a single season in the NFL story. He finished 100 meters short from Eric Dickerson’s record even though he set out the last match of the season because Philadelphia was locked in No. 2 seed in NFC.
It was the first 2,000-farm season in the NFL since Derrick Henry had 2,027 for the Titans 2020, which was the only second 2000-farm season since 2013.
Barkley turned a trend that had seen the standard for individual rushing farms sink consistently after Henry’s milestone season. The subsequent leagues – Jonathan Taylor (1,811 in 2021), Josh Jacobs (1,653 in 2022) and Christian McCaffrey (1,459 in 2023) – made an average of almost 200 fewer meters than their most immediate predecessor even if their seasons on the rushing The leaders coincided with the extension to a season of 17 games.
Philadelphia leaned more heavily on Barkley during the stretch run. He was on average almost 25 cars per match during the last seven matches he played in during the regular season after average almost 19 in the previous nine.
After finishing with a relatively pedestrian 119 rushing farms and Inga Touchdowns in a Wild-Card victory against Packers, Barkley 205 had rushing turns and two touchdowns in a division win against Rams and 118 meters and three touchdowns in the NFC championship. over the commanders.
He has an NFL record three 60-plus-yard touchdown runs in the last two games. If he has another touchdown driving of 60 or more laps against Chiefs, he will be the first player in NFL history to have a 60-plus-yard touchdown run in three consecutive games.
Barkley wins back respect for back slopes.
The last 11 NFL most valuable Player Awards have won by Quarterbacks, and no one would be surprised if Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen would do it 12 straight, but Barkley has been widely discussed as a strong candidate. It is only a fairly significant performance 2024-2025.
A backback has not won the Super Bowl MVP award since Bronco’s Terrell Davis did so 27 years ago. Since then, five wide recipients, three linebackers and a Cornerback have won the award.
If Philadelphia would win Super Bowl, the odds are pretty good that Barkley would win the MVP award for that game.
But regardless of some individual prices that may come, Barkley and Eagles have already shown how valuable a return can still be.
You just have to find the right one – as Philadelphia did.
