The NFL was a sport completely dominated by the running back position. However, over time, the offense’s focus shifted to the passing game, with the quarterback becoming the unquestioned most important position in the sport. In recent times, though, the trend has once again started to turn. While not back to its heyday in terms of importance, the running back position is beginning to gain back prominence in the league.
A major component of that renaissance was the performance of some of the league’s best players. After Christian McCaffrey put together an MVP-level campaign in 2023, Saquon Barkley followed it up with an all-time historic year in 2024 as he set the NFL record for most rushing yards in a season. But Barkley isn’t about hogging the spotlight for himself. Instead, he has his sights set on the player who could be next in line to carry the RB mantle.
Saquon Barkley Is Staking His Running Back Claim
Last year was one for the history books for Barkley. Not only did he transform the Philadelphia Eagles from a fringe playoff contender to Super Bowl champions thanks to an Offensive Player of the Year campaign, but his season was record-breaking from the start.
After the confetti had cleared in New Orleans, Barkley stood as the all-time leader for rushing yards and scrimmage yards in a season at 2,504 and 2,857 yards, respectively. Lost in the shuffle was a chance for Barkley to set the regular-season record he gave up to rest for the playoffs in Week 18.
But at 28 with a checkered injury history and keeping the physicality of the position in mind, Barkley is realistic about his time in the NFL’s limelight. However, he doesn’t think the running back position is in any trouble of losing its stature thanks to the talent in the league.
Among the next generation, though, he has a favorite in particular. That is Bijan Robinson of the Atlanta Falcons. During the second season of the Netflix “Quarterback” show, Barkley outright declared it. “I think Bijan’s the next great one. Bijan’s definitely the next great one.”
Justin Jefferson and Saquon Barkley absolutely gushing over Bijan Robinson.
Barkley: “He’s definitely the next great one…I love myself, but…” pic.twitter.com/FtgUPJbCbB
— Rise Up Walker (@RiseUpReader) July 25, 2025
Going a step further, he claimed Robinson was already the best in the world at one particular ability. “There’s nobody who’s able to cut like Bijan in the NFL. There’s not.” He even put the youngster over himself in that category.
“Trust me, I love myself, and I think I have great cuts. But there’s nobody, the way he’s able to, his vision, his agility, and he can catch the ball too.” He ended the speech with a warning for the rest of the NFL. “It’s finna get scary for a lot of people as he continues to figure it out.”
Before having figured it out completely, Robinson is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the league. A legendary collegiate career at Texas paved the way for his selection as the eighth overall pick in 2023.
After an All-Rookie team caliber debut year, his numbers jumped off the page in 2024, en route to his first Pro Bowl selection, as he tallied 1,456 yards on the ground and an additional 431 yards through the air.
He even developed into one of the most potent end zone weapons across the league, adding 15 touchdowns across 17 games. Barkley might not be wrong in his assessment of Robinson as a player.
However, with Robinson’s swift progress, “the next great one” could quickly become the great one.
