Another day, another honor for Saquon Barkley.
The Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) announced the former Penn State star and Philadelphia Eagles running back as its 2024 Offensive Player of the Year.
Barkley rushed for an NFL-best 2,005 this season in 16 games, 84 yards more than Derrick Henry’s second-place finish (1921) in 17 games. Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards and the first since Henry (2,047) in 2020.
He fell 100 yards shy of tying Eric Dickerson’s all-time mark of 2,105 during the 1984 campaign. Dickerson did it in only 14 games but more carries (379) than Barkley (345) totaled this year, while on pace to break the rushing record.
Barkley and the Eagles agreed rest and health in week 18 was the best option, rather than attempting to break the record against the New York Giants in Philadelphia.
Philly’s offense came alive with Barkley playing as an MVP candidate. Saquon averaged 125 yards per game, rushed for a career-high 13 touchdowns in his first season with the Eagles, and easily earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. He contributed out of the backfield and caught 33 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns.
Barkley is the first Eagles player to win Offensive POTY and the 14th running back to win it since 1992. He won NFC Player of the Week accolades in Weeks 1, 7, 9, and 11 and NFC Player of the Month for November, rushing for 626 yards in four games, including 255 under the Hollywood lights against the Rams.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.Barkley made one of the most athletic and outlandish plays you’ll ever see in November hosting Jacksonville. Early in the second quarter, Barkley evaded cornerback Tyson Campbell, spun past linebacker Devin Lloyd, and hurdled corner Jarrian Jones. The unique part? Barkley hurdled Jones backward unlike any hurdle seen on an NFL field.
SAQUON BARKLEY IS NOT OF THIS WORLD.
📺: #JAXvsPHI on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/UtCENDw6no— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2024
The Giants drafted Barkley No. 2 overall in 2018 and let him test free agency instead of completing a long-term deal. Philadelphia signed Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million deal in March, now looking like a bargain. Barkley rushed for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns at Penn State, appearing in the Rose Bowl Game and winning the Cotton Bowl with the Nittany Lions from 2015-17. He won Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2016, earned an All-American selection in 2017, and placed 4th in Heisman voting before declaring for the NFL Draft.
The Eagles host NFC East rival the Washington Commanders at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday at 3 p.m. with a trip to Super Bowl LIX on the line.
