Saquon Barkley Rejects Notion He’s ‘Past His Prime’

The Philadelphia Eagles turned some heads when they signed Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal worth $37.75 million. Given his history of injuries and how running backs tend to fall from grace at a certain age, it was a bit of a risky move.

The former New York Giants star responded by leading the league in rushing yards (2,005), carries (345), and yards per game (125.3) despite sitting out the season finale. He capped it off by rushing for 499 yards en route to a Super Bowl ring.

That’s why the Eagles didn’t hesitate to double down on their commitment by giving him a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension. That’s also why he laughs at the narrative around aging running backs.

Saquon Barkley Says He’s Just Entering His Prime

“That [past prime] notion is so funny,” Barkley told Sports Illustrated. “It’s bunk, all the running-back-position-is-dying [stuff]. You got wide receivers who [teams] pay all this money to, and when they get into their 30s, they’re not performing at the highest level; you just never hear that. How many quarterbacks can you name who played into their late 30s? Everyone’s not Tom Brady. They have to let that go!”

Barkley is 28 years old already, and there are more than enough examples of former elite running backs who fell from grace once they turned 30. Also, he’s endured a massive workload, and he’s playing one of the most taxing positions in all of sports.

Nevertheless, after watching him and Derrick Henry dominate last season, it’s hard to agree with that narrative of the bell-cow running back being a dying breed in today’s league.

Barkley and the Eagles will enter the season as the team to beat. And with the stoutest and most physical offensive line in all of football creating lanes for him, he might be in for an even bigger season in year two.