The stage is set for Super Bowl 59. For the second time in three years, the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs will face off in a battle for the Lombardi Trophy.
The rematch of Super Bowl 57 carries no shortage of storylines, from Jalen Hurts vs. Patrick Mahomes to the coaching chess match between Nick Sirianni and Andy Reid. But one of the biggest x-factors heading into the game is Saquon Barkley — Philadelphia’s star running back and one of the league’s most dominant players this season.
After years of injuries and underwhelming team performances with the New York Giants, Barkley’s arrival in Philadelphia has rejuvenated his career. Now, as he prepares to play on the NFL‘s biggest stage, discussions surrounding his long-term legacy have started to heat up. Is Barkley on a Hall of Fame trajectory? Or does he still have work to do before he cements his place in Canton?
Nick Wright’s Surprising Take on Barkley’s HOF Case
On a recent episode of ‘First Things First,’ popular sports analyst Nick Wright made waves, suggesting that Barkley would be a Hall of Famer regardless of the outcome of Super Bowl 59 if he can maintain his current level of play for a few more seasons.
“No matter what happens in the Super Bowl, he should be a Hall of Famer because he’s young enough that he should have, with Philadelphia… 2-3 more great years.”
— @getnickwright on Saquon Barkley pic.twitter.com/fqM3iRvm6y
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) January 30, 2025
“No matter what happens in the Super Bowl, he should be a Hall of Famer because he’s young enough that he should have, with Philadelphia… two or three more great years. But this by itself will not do it, and if he keeps playing and doesn’t put together those two or three more great years, he doesn’t deserve it.”
To summarize Wright’s argument, he believes that Barkley has already shown enough talent and production to be in the conversation but needs some additional longevity at an elite level to solidify his case.
Saquon Barkley’s Career So Far
Barkley’s journey to this moment has been anything but conventional. A standout at Penn State, he entered the NFL with sky-high expectations after being selected second overall by the New York Giants in the 2018 NFL Draft. The hype was justified in his rookie season when he rushed for 1,307 yards, caught 91 passes for another 721 yards, and scored 15 total touchdowns, winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
But after that breakout campaign, injuries and instability in New York limited his ability to build momentum. Torn ACLs, ankle sprains, and a revolving door of coaches and quarterbacks made it difficult for Barkley to establish the kind of consistent dominance expected of a future Hall of Famer.
Still, when healthy, he remained one of the most dynamic backs in the league. That’s why, when he hit free agency, the Eagles made him a priority signing. In his first year in Philadelphia, Barkley played out of his mind, rushing for over 2,000 yards and being the Eagles’ biggest threat on offense in their run to the Super Bowl.
Does Barkley Have a Hall of Fame Resume?
Statistically, Barkley is still in the middle of his career and isn’t yet a lock for Canton. Few running backs in the modern era have possessed Barkley’s combination of power, speed, and versatility. His ability to turn any play into a highlight-reel moment is rare, and his presence in Philadelphia has given Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ offense a new dimension.
But as Wright pointed out, he needs to keep building his case. Hall of Fame running backs like Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Marshall Faulk not only had elite peaks but also sustained success over multiple years. Barkley still has time to add to his resume, but if his production dips in the coming seasons, the debate over his Hall of Fame worthiness will intensify.
