Philadelphia, PA – June 29, 2025
He already shattered the NFL’s single-season rushing record, but that’s not enough. With all eyes on the Eagles’ title defense in 2025, one star running back has his sights locked on history—and he’s drawing inspiration from a sports icon outside the gridiron.
Last season, Philadelphia’s offensive engine racked up 2,005 rushing yards—becoming just the ninth player in league history to cross the 2,000-yard threshold. Add playoffs, and the number soared to 2,504, an all-time NFL record. Now, he’s aiming to do what no other back has ever accomplished: post back-to-back 2,000-yard seasons.
The player? Saquon Barkley. The inspiration? Tiger Woods.
"I’ve been trying to learn so much more about Tiger," Barkley told CBS Sports’ Grant Horvat. "Just the way he dominated, year after year. That mentality—stacking greatness like he did in '99 and 2000—that’s what I want. There’s never been a back who’s rushed for 2,000 yards twice, let alone in back-to-back years. That’s my mission."
After winning Offensive Player of the Year, Barkley enters the 2025 season with a chip on his shoulder. He studies film with a sense of urgency, not as a player chasing validation—but as a player chasing legacy. “I look at what I did last season, and I still think, ‘I could’ve done more,’” he said. “That confidence? That swagger? It’s real—and it’s earned.”
His mindset echoes Woods in his prime. And like Tiger, Barkley is starting to separate himself from the field. With four 1,000-yard seasons in seven years—and injuries the only thing slowing him down—the 28-year-old is on pace to join the likes of Barry Sanders and Walter Payton in the NFL’s upper pantheon.
Some doubted him when he left the Giants. Few are doubting now.
Backed by arguably the league’s best offensive line, Barkley is running with purpose—and Philly is roaring behind him. His résumé already sparkles: Pro Bowls, All-Pro honors, a Super Bowl ring, and the league’s top offensive award. But if he pulls off the impossible this year, the conversation shifts from “great” to “all-time.”
“This isn’t about numbers anymore,” Barkley said. “It’s about impact. It’s about legacy. It’s about rewriting what’s possible at this position.”
Stay tuned to ESPN as Barkley chases greatness, one historic carry at a time.
