The NFL’s trickle of 2025 schedule news includes a Super Bowl rematch in Kansas City, where Patrick Mahomes and company will look for a little revenge after getting bulldozed by the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, 40-22. Philadelphia’s elite defense held Mahomes to a mere 226 yards on 32 pass attempts, with much of that production coming in fourth quarter garbage time. Jalen Hurts threw of two scores and ran in another as Saquon Barkley was held in check to the tune of 57 scoreless yards on 23 carries. If the Chiefs are to get back at the Eagles in Week 2, they’ll have to do a far better job of protecting Mahomes.

The combination of money always being available and a forward-thinking general manager often have the Eagles out in front of potential problems in negotiations, and it makes plenty of sense to make sure Barkley is happy after his 2,005-yard season (in just 16 games) in 2024. Adam Schefter reports that Barkley will be the NFL’s first running back to make more than $20 million a season and has also procured $36 million fully guaranteed at signing. Barkley’s transcendent season was rewarded with a whopper of a contract, one that other running backs will likely be trying to argue they deserve for the next 5-10 years. Barkley will be one of the top running backs off the board in 2025 fantasy drafts. Depending on what happens with Ja’Marr Chase’s contract situation, Barkley could be considered at No. 1 overall in most fantasy drafts this August.

Barkley’s second quietest rushing outing of the season somehow didn’t matter as the Eagles dominated on defense, and Jalen Hurts shined as a rusher and passer. Signed to a three-year, $37.75 million signing in the opening moments of free agency, 27-year-old Barkley quickly confirmed he wouldn’t be any ol’ running back addition. After piling up five touchdowns across his first three games in midnight green and black, Barkley slumped for two weeks before truly announcing his Philly presence with a 176-yard Week 6 outburst against his former team New York. When the dust eventually settled on his 2024 campaign, he had the eighth most rushing yards in league history at 2,005 despite sitting out Week 18. Barkley’s 33 receptions were a career low for a healthy season, but he was second to only Derrick Henry in rush yards over expected per attempt. In other words, it wasn’t just his elite blocking. He then proceeded to put the Eagles’ offense on his back during their four-game Super Bowl run. The odds are high 2024 will go down a career campaign for the “generational” 2018 prospect, but he’s a cinch to be a top-three fantasy back in 2025, and is suddenly back in the mix for a potentially Canton-bound career if he can have another few seasons like his ‘24.

Barkley took home the award while receiving 35 of the 50 possible first-place vote. Lamar Jackson was a distant second with 12 first-place nods, and Ja’Marr Chase finished third despite not receiving any. Barkley had a historic season in his first year with the Eagles, and he’ll have a chance to add a Super Bowl ring on Sunday to this award.