Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady are frequently cited as the dominant figures in the NFL over the past 25 years.
Brady holds the record for seven Super Bowl wins and is considered a GOAT. Mahomes, aiming to become the first quarterback with four Super Bowl victories before age 30, is challenging Brady’s legacy. A win against the Philadelphia Eagles would significantly bolster his claim.
The focus often centers on quarterbacks.
Quarterbacks, quarterbacks, quarterbacks. The emphasis is constantly on quarterbacks’ skills. Teams invest heavily in talented quarterbacks. While exceptional players at other positions exist, such as Terrell Owens and Troy Polamalu, they often receive less attention.
However, from the 1970s to the 1990s, running backs were major stars—Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Bo Jackson, Walter Payton, Marcus Allen, to name a few. They were household names.
This prominence has diminished in recent years. But now, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is emerging as Super Bowl LIX’s key player, especially if the Eagles defeat Mahomes and his team.
Barkley’s exceptional 2024 regular and postseason performance has revitalized the spotlight on running backs. He has five rushing touchdowns in the playoffs; three more in the Super Bowl would tie Terrell Davis’ record of eight rushing touchdowns in a single postseason (1997).
With just 30 rushing yards in the Super Bowl, Barkley, who turns 28 on Super Bowl Sunday, will surpass Davis’ record for most total rushing yards in a regular season and playoffs.
Three of Barkley’s playoff touchdowns were runs of 60 yards or more, including 62 and 78-yard runs against the Los Angeles Rams and a 60-yard run against the Washington Commanders.
Barkley’s performance has been consistently exhilarating; he’s a constant threat to break away on any carry, potentially leading the Eagles to victory through his skill.
Between 1990 and 2000, five running backs won the NFL MVP award. Since then, only three have won, with none winning since Adrian Peterson in 2012. Josh Allen won the 2024 award, while Barkley finished third despite his impressive performance.
Recently, running backs have been viewed as expendable, easily replaced by younger, cheaper players. Unlike quarterbacks like Brady and Rodgers who play into their 40s, running backs have shorter careers. In 2023, the market for running backs was so undervalued that top players, including Barkley, reportedly held a meeting to voice their concerns.
This undervaluation was highlighted in HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” which followed the New York Giants, Barkley’s former team, in 2023. The Giants gave quarterback Daniel Jones a four-year, $160 million extension but were hesitant about Barkley’s contract. The general manager questioned paying a running back $12 million while committing $40 million to the quarterback.
Encouraged to explore free agency, Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, including $26 million guaranteed. The Giants released Jones and finished the season with a 3-14 record. Barkley is now in the Super Bowl.
Barkley’s success should prompt teams to reconsider their investments in running backs. Terrell Davis was the last running back to win Super Bowl MVP, 27 years ago. If Barkley achieves this, it would send a strong message.
The NFL may be witnessing a shift in focus.