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Derrick Henry Shows How Eagles' Saquon Barkley Can Break 'The 2,000-Yard Curse'
Derrick Henry Shows How Eagles' Saquon Barkley Can Break 'The 2,000-Yard Curse' originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
History is not on Saquon Barkley's side this season.
Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards last year. He was rewarded with the AP Offensive Player of the Year award and a Super Bowl LIX championship with the Philadelphia Eagles.
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Now, Barkley is trying to do something few running backs have done before: build off that 2,000-yard season with another dominant year.
Of the eight previous players who have rushed for over 2,000 yards, each suffered a significant decline in production the following year. Many of those backs even struggled to return to that elite level of play later in their careers.
Since the turn of the century, four running backs outside Barkley recorded over 2,000 yards in a year.
Only one has recorded over 1,500 yards in any year afterward.
Derrick Henry, the former All-Pro and Offensive Player of the Year, recorded over 1,500 yards two years after his historic season. Just last year, Henry got the closest any running back has ever been to recording a second 2,000-yard season.
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The 31-year-old ran for 1,921 in his first year with the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. Henry's ability to accomplish that feat is remarkable, all things considered. Few running backs over 30 are given a shot to compete in the NFL anymore.
It's a good reminder of what Barkley could do for the Eagles.
Like Henry, Barkley has battled some injuries through the years. Unlike Henry, Philadelphia's All-Pro is running behind the best offensive line in football.
That is a huge difference that can help prolong Barkley's career.
It's unlikely that Barkley will be able to record another 2,000-yard season in 2025. If he can get close to Henry's production in Baltimore, though, it could set him on a very similar path.
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One that leads directly to the Hall of Fame. ... while also breaking the curse.
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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
