NEW ORLEANS – Saquon Barkley firmly believes he knows who the greatest running back in NFL history is.

“I consider Barry Sanders to be the best running back and the greatest player to ever play football,” Barkley commented.

Currently, Barkley is on the verge of reaching a couple of significant milestones that Hall of Famer Barry Sanders never achieved: winning a Super Bowl and becoming the NFL’s all-time leader in single-season rushing yards, counting playoff statistics.

So far, Barkley has amassed 2,447 rushing yards and is only 30 yards away from breaking the Denver Broncos’ legendary Terrell Davis’ record of 2,476 rushing yards for a single season (including playoffs), a record set in 1998.

This particular record is deemed by many in NFL circles to be of even greater significance than the regular season rushing record.

“It’s more meaningful – especially if you win a Super Bowl while also breaking the record,” former NFL running back Jonathan Stewart, who played with Barkley on the New York Giants in 2018, stated to YSL News Sports. “If he can break that record alongside winning a Super Bowl, it’s like achieving the best of both worlds.”

Ironically, Barkley had the chance to surpass Los Angeles Rams’ Eric Dickerson’s 1984 regular season rushing record of 2,105 yards. He was just 101 yards away from breaking that record when the Eagles made the decision to rest Barkley and other star players in Week 18.

Dickerson’s record-breaking season led the Rams to the playoffs, but they were eliminated in the wild-card round. In contrast, Davis’ record-setting season contributed to the Broncos securing a victory in Super Bowl 33.

Similar to Davis, Barkley could use his remarkable rushing season as a springboard for the Eagles to win a Super Bowl.

“If he wasn’t here, and if we didn’t have the plays he’s made this year, I don’t think we would be in this position,” Eagles running backs coach Jemal Singleton remarked to YSL News Sports. “I can confidently say that, considering how impactful he’s been this year and who he is as a person. He’s been incredible. His presence in the locker room and around the organization has been fantastic. Everyone has positive things to say about Saquon Barkley. That’s how exceptional he is.”

Since joining the Eagles during the 2024 free agency period, Barkley has delivered everything the franchise had hoped for. In his seventh season, he set a franchise record and led the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns in the regular season. In the playoffs, he has accumulated 442 rushing yards and five touchdowns, both of which are postseason highs. Remarkably, he has recorded seven touchdowns from 60 yards or more, including playoff games, the highest in NFL history.

He is also in contention for both NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year honors.

“Saquon is a unique talent. He’s humble enough for me to tell him that,” Singleton added. “He’s a rare blend of size, speed, and lateral agility, something you don’t often see in running backs. Usually, you have guys who are either fast but not as agile, or strong but lack top-end speed. Saquon embodies all these traits.”

In a poetic twist, Super Bowl 59 falls on Barkley’s 28th birthday. Although breaking the rushing record would make for a great birthday gift, what Barkley truly desires is to secure a Super Bowl win.

“I think it’s awesome to even be mentioned alongside a running back like Davis, considering his success and remarkable career,” Barkley shared about Davis’ record.

“All those records are interesting and all, but the real focus is on winning the Super Bowl.”

Follow News Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.