Eagles' Saquon Barkley Sends Clear Message on Personal Goals
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Will Saquon Barkley be gunning for another 2,000-yard season in 2025? The Philadelphia Eagles running back had a straightforward response to that idea on Wednesday.
"If it's in the cards again, it is. If not, it's not," he told reporters.
Barkley could make history in 2025 by becoming the first player to ever have back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons. With so many great running backs coming before him, Barkley understands why former greats have struggled to repeat as 2K rushers.
"Why is it so hard for a 2,000 rusher to do it again? Because it's so hard to do it in general," Barkley said. "There's only nine of us to have ever done it."
Read More: Jalen Hurts Reacts to Viral Narrative About Eagles' Super Bowl Ring
Barkley recently looked over the list again, as he signed a helmet that was decorated with those runners' signatures. In the process, he appreciated just how surreal his 2024 season was.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field on December 29, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania."I got to sign a helmet the other day where it was every 2,000-yard rusher, and the crazy thing is, that would never be able to happen again with OJ passing away," Barkley said. "The reason why it's hard to do it twice is because it's hard to it the first time, and it's a crazy thing to even mention with those guys."
Barkley appeared in 16 games in 2024. He took on 345 carries for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns. Considering he sat out for the Eagles' Week 17 battle, there is an assumption that Barkley would've made NFL history, beating out Eric Dickerson's 2,105-yard season, which took place in 1984. Even without the record on his resume, Barkley stamps his name in the history books, alongside Hall of Famers.
OJ Simpson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Derrick Henry, and Dickerson all share the honor with Barkley. While the Eagles obviously hope Barkley can mirror that production next year, the running back made it clear that's not the goal he has on his mind.
"2,000 yards is not the goal. It's winning the Super Bowl and going out there and performing at a high level," Barkley stated.
"I didn't come in with the mindset last year to rush for 2,000 yards. It kind of just happened. So, just stay in the moment, take care of the little things, be consistent with my process, and be obsessive with my process, and make sure nothing's non-negotiable."
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