Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley reminds former Philadelphia Eagles star of NFL legend

Matt Reed

Super Bowl champion Saquon Barkley reminds former Philadelphia Eagles star of NFL legend image

There's been a long track record of great Philadelphia Eagles running backs over the past few decades, but the Birds might have their best one yet since the arrival of Saquon Barkley.

It's hard to argue with results after winning the Super Bowl during his first season with the team, and one former Eagles legend believes that Barkley has the potential to be an all-time great just like an NFL Hall of Famer.

Brian Westbrook spent most of his career in Philly and was a fan favorite during the 2000's, and from his expertise the former rusher sees Barkley as a throwback style of player reminiscent of Bo Jackson.

“He’s running away from people,” Westbrook said (via NJ.com). “The only person that I’ve really come close to comparing this guy to is Bo Jackson. You remember Bo? He was just taking off and running away from people. That’s what Saquon is doing.”

While Jackson's NFL career was certainly short lived based on injuries and his simultaneous MLB tenure, he was considered one of the most physically gifted running backs ever.

Barkley exemplifies a lot of similar traits, whether it's his breakaway speed, ability to break tackles or freakish athleticism like when he jumped over a Jacksonville Jaguars defender backwards last season.

It's no wonder why Jalen Hurts and the Birds offense was humming in 2024, and many around the league expect Philadelphia to be just as good again this season.

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Matt Reed

Matt Reed is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He currently writes for The Big Lead and has covered the NFL and global soccer for more than a decade. He previously spent nearly five years at NBC Sports, as well as contributing to Yahoo Sports, FanSided, ONE37pm and SBI Soccer.