In a season that continues to redefine expectations for New York Giants fans, running back Saquon Barkley is carving out a place in NFL history. With an impressive 1,623 rushing yards already stacked up in just 13 games, Barkley has not only exceeded LeSean McCoy's 1,607-yard mark set in 2013 with the Philadelphia Eagles, but he is also on a trajectory that could see him challenging one of the most revered records in professional football.
Barkley's Meteoric Rise
Barkley is currently averaging 124.8 rushing yards per game, putting him on pace to finish the season with a staggering 2,122 rushing yards if he maintains this level of performance. This would see him surpassing the all-time single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards set by Eric Dickerson in 1984—an achievement that has remained untouched for nearly four decades.
The Giants star is only 483 yards shy of breaking Dickerson's record, with four games still left to play. The consistency and efficiency in his running game are showcased by his current average of 6.1 yards per carry, echoing the rarefied air of Barry Sanders’ legendary 1997 season. Remarkably, no player since Adrian Peterson in 2012 has managed to average over 100 rushing yards per game with such efficiency as Barkley.
A Humble Chase for Greatness
Despite the accolades and record-breaking potential, Barkley maintains a humble perspective on his achievements. He reflects on his approach to the game, stating, "I never wrote goals down to break it, but you're always aware of it." The pressure of a record-breaking season rarely weighs heavily on him; instead, his ambition seems to emanate from an intrinsic desire to excel. "That's how I train. That's how I operate in the offseason and in camp, because I want to be great," Barkley remarks.
Barkley is aware of the significance of his current journey, yet he maintains an attitude that prioritizes team success over personal glory. "Obviously, that would be extremely cool to do, but at the end of the day, if it happens, it happens," he comments, highlighting his focus on collective achievements. Barkley's mindset is woven together by a mix of humility and a relentless drive to win, encapsulated in his view that "whatever it takes to win football games, if that's in the way of it, then that's in the way of it."
A Season for the Ages
To witness Saquon Barkley in his element this season is to watch a player harness the full scope of his capabilities. As he puts it, "I'm very aware God has blessed me with a tremendous talent and put me in a great situation here... to be able to play behind those guys and to play with the organization -- to be able to do stuff like that." His performances are as much about athletic prowess as they are about gratitude for the platform he's been given. Barkley's efforts underline his ambition not only to break records but to bring unprecedented success to the Giants and their loyal supporters.
"I want to win football games, and do something special for this city, and we know what that is," he asserts. Indeed, Barkley's record-setting pace is not just about the numbers; it is about the potential for building a legacy that intertwines personal achievement with team triumphs—one that could see him celebrated not only as a remarkable athlete but as a Giants legend.
As he pushes further into the season's home stretch, Saquon Barkley's pursuit of greatness is more than just a statistical journey. It's an odyssey filled with determination, prowess, and the pursuit of something truly special for himself, his team, and the city of New York.