Getty Image / Ben Jared
Saquon Barkley is one of the most talented running backs in the NFL. The former New York Giant signed with the rival Philadelphia Eagles in the offseason and could be set for a big year behind a solid offensive line with a good group of skill position players.
But, likely due to the fact that he hasn’t always been able to stay healthy, the seventh-year man out of Penn State does have a group of doubters that don’t truly think he is among the NFL’s best running backs. Those people are fueling Saquon Barkley ahead of the 2024 season.
Here’s Pro Football Talk with more.
Barkley, 27, said in a recent interview with EJ Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he’s worked a lot on his mindset, turning negatives into positives. Between injuries and his contract situation, Barkley said several instances of adversity have helped shape him.
But he also isn’t pretending he doesn’t hear those who might doubt him.
“Anyone that tells you that you don’t get motivation from naysayers is lying,” Barkley told Smith. “You see everything. Even if you block it out, you make stuff up in your head. The motivation comes from me wanting to be great, having a purpose, being passionate about the game, and wanting to win championships and become a Hall of Fame player.
“Right now in my career, I’m far from that. But I feel like if I finish my second [half of] my career strong, I’m going to be able to put my name in that book.”
There’s no doubt that Saquon Barkley has Hall of Fame talent. Through 74 career games, he’s averaging nearly 100 yards from scrimmage per game. That’s pretty impressive, considering the New York Giants have probably had the league’s worst offensive line and quarterback situations since he got into the league.
But, he needs to stay healthy. He’s missed over two dozen games in his career so far, and an ACL injury lingered into an unproductive season in 2021.
If he stays healthy this year, expect a big season from Saquon Barkley.