Eagles’ Superstar Crowned No. 1 Player in NFL — Redefines Modern RB Play After More Than a Decade

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — September 1, 2025

It has been more than ten years since a running back last stood at the top of the NFL’s mountain. On Monday night, Philadelphia Eagles superstar Saquon Barkley changed that. The reigning Super Bowl champion and record-breaking tailback was voted the No. 1 player in the NFL’s annual Top 100 list, an honor decided entirely by his peers.

The recognition isn’t just about numbers — though Barkley’s numbers are historic. It’s about impact. In a league dominated by quarterbacks, Barkley has singlehandedly reminded the football world that a running back can still tilt the field, carry a franchise, and define a season.

Barkley’s 2024 campaign was nothing short of legendary. After signing with Philadelphia in March of that year, he unleashed a record-setting season: 2,005 rushing yards, 2,283 yards from scrimmage in the regular season, and another 574 yards in the playoffs.

His runs weren’t just about yardage — they were moments of defiance. A 255-yard explosion against the Rams shattered LeSean McCoy’s franchise record. Two 70+ yard touchdowns in the same game became instant highlights in Eagles lore. And when the lights burned brightest in Super Bowl LIX, Barkley powered the offense past the Chiefs to secure Philadelphia’s second Lombardi Trophy.

For that, he won Offensive Player of the Year, graced the cover of Madden NFL 26, took home an ESPY Award, and now, stood atop the NFL’s elite as the No. 1 player in football.

The NFL’s Top 100 list, launched in 2011, has historically been quarterback country. Since Adrian Peterson in 2013, no running back had claimed the top spot — until Barkley. In doing so, he became only the second RB in the list’s history to be voted No. 1, leaping an astonishing 85 spots from his 2024 ranking of 86.

Even Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP, and Josh Allen, last season’s MVP, trailed behind Barkley in this year’s poll. The message from the players was loud and clear: in 2025, the running back position is alive, dangerous, and led by Saquon Barkley.

Head coach Nick Sirianni, never one to overhype, put Barkley’s achievement into perspective with a statement that carried the weight of Philadelphia’s championship standard.

“Saquon hasn’t just changed our offense — he’s changed the conversation about what it means to be a running back in today’s NFL. He showed the whole league that toughness, explosion, and leadership from the backfield can still carry a team to the very top. Our young guys see it every day: this isn’t just talent, it’s obsession. And that’s why he’s the No. 1 player in football.”

On Thursday night, under the lights at Lincoln Financial Field, Barkley begins the defense of his crown. The Eagles will unfurl their Super Bowl banner before hosting the Dallas Cowboys in the season opener — a rivalry that already promises fireworks, now amplified by Barkley’s new title.

For Philadelphia fans, this honor is more than a trophy or a ranking. It’s validation. Barkley didn’t just join the Eagles — he redefined them. And in doing so, he has redefined the running back position for the entire NFL.

In Philly, he isn’t just RB1. He’s the standard.