Saquon Barkley led the NFL in rushing yards (2,005) last season en route to winning his first-ever Offensive Player of the Year Award and has a good chance to be in the running again in 2025. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him to a two-year, $41.2 million extension and it’s clear that he’ll be a major part of his team’s offense as it looks to return to the Super Bowl.
Barkley’s odds to win OPOY are +500 at BetMGM for a reason. He amassed a league-high 345 carries last season and averaged 5.8 yards per rush. He reached the endzone 13 times on the ground and that number could’ve been significantly higher if the Eagles didn’t lean on their infamous tush push at the goal line. However, winning the award in a second consecutive year won’t be easy.
No player has won OPOY in back-to-back years since Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk did with the St. Louis Rams in 2001. Faulk took home the hardware in 1999, 2000, and 2001. He never led the league in rushing yards but did lead the league in total touchdowns in 2000 and 2001. Barkley is unlikely to match Faulk’s passing-game involvement because of the Eagles’ strong receiving corps, but their investment in him suggests that they plan on giving him the ball in important situations quite a bit.
There’s plenty of value in betting Barkley, but the likelihood of him repeating seems slim given the history of the award. Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (+1000) seems poised to surge forward after a career year and Ja’Marr Chase (+1000) is a real threat after leading the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in 2024. Bettors shouldn’t rush to the pay window just yet when it comes to this race.
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