Philadelphia, PA – July 12, 2025
No noise. No excuses. Just destiny in motion. That’s how fans in Philly are describing what they just witnessed: a man reborn in midnight green, carrying the weight of a city — and somehow running faster with it.
Saquon Barkley didn’t come to the Eagles to prove anyone wrong. But he just might have rewritten the narrative for every so-called failed draft pick, every player counted out too soon. According to ESPN’s newly released 2025 rankings, Barkley is unanimously the No. 1 running back in the NFL. And he earned that crown the hard way — with blistering cuts, thunderous runs, and numbers that feel like they belong in a video game.
He racked up 2,504 total rushing yards across the regular season and playoffs — the most ever recorded in a single year. He set the NFL record with seven touchdowns of 60+ yards. And for good measure, he hit 20+ mph on nine separate TD runs, a burst of electricity unmatched by any other player.
It took guts to leave New York. It took belief to sign with a team already loaded with talent. But Barkley saw something in Philly. And Philly saw something in him. Behind Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce’s successor, and that beastly offensive line, Barkley didn’t just fit in — he exploded.
One NFL director told ESPN: “It was almost like this was expected. He just needed the right team.”
They said Dave Gettleman was reckless for drafting him No. 2 overall back in 2018. But seven years later, all of that talk has gone quiet. Because this — this version of Barkley — is exactly what was promised: a generational back with MVP-caliber dominance.
In 2025, he didn’t just silence critics. He ignited believers.
And now the question echoes through Lincoln Financial Field, in barbershops across Philly, and in locker rooms across the league: How far can Saquon carry us this time?
Stay tuned to ESPN.
