Do you remember Saquon Barkley‘s iconic backward hurdle jump over the Jaguars‘ Jarrian Jones? The Eagles and #26 turned heads with their jaw-dropping performance, making it the most notable takeaway from that Week 9 game. In fact, this season has been one of the distinguishing years for Barkley, which has pulled him on the virtuous road of MVP. But, more importantly, a Pro Football Hall of Famer has something worthy to say about the Eagles RB.

The RB is chasing the rushing yards record of the Legendary footballer Eric Dickerson. Actually, the Eagles star was about to break the legend’s record last year itself, but this year is the high time for Saquon to break the untouched record of the 1984 season. When Dickerson was asked, “Are you a back for Barkley this year?”, within a second he replied, “Oh yeah, most definitely.” He continued, “I mean, I almost feel that I have a different award for the quarterback. I think they give awards to quarterbacks almost every year. I mean it’s almost unfair.”

Eric, while emphasizing why RBs are also important candidates for the MVP award, said, “I mean a back would almost have to have 2800 yards and win the Super Bowl.” And he laughingly continued, “….to be an MPV in the league, in today’s league. Because it’s all about the passing game. And when they started this nonsense about ‘you don’t need a running back’, and I’m like, that is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.”

However, Saquon’s impressive rushing yards this season overshadow Eric Dickerson’s 2105-yard record. So he has rushed for 1499 yards and is projected to reach at least 2124, breaking the Legends record by 19 yards. So, Barkley is tearing the league apart with his stats backing it up.

The Fantastic season, of staggering 11 rushing TDs, has led the 27-year-old to embark upon a new journey—the MVP campaign.

Saquon Barkley: An MVP candidate?

Barkley has been a phenomenon in the 2024 season. His 246 rushing attempts have helped him to score 11 touchdowns for the Eagles. One of the most amazing plays was against the Los Angeles Raiders. In that November 25 match-up, he rushed for 255 yards along with 72 long rushing and scored two touchdowns, which led to Eagles victory by 37-20. This hard work has resulted in Barkley’s name being considered for the MVP campaign.

Besides the Eagles #26 and QB Jalen Hurts, the other candidates competing for the MVP awards include the Bills QB Josh Allen, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Commanders QB Jayden Daniels, and the list goes on. So, there is fierce and deadly competition for the MVP.

Saquon Barkley’s remarkable season will undoubtedly continue to garner attention. As the Eagles’ star running back breaks more records, his performance might eventually result in defeating the leagues’ QBs to get a MVP this year. But the most important question: Can he lead the Eagles’ to the SB?