Philadelphia Eagles legend Brian Westbrook recently compared Saquon Barkley to a generational star.
Westbrook acknowledged on the “Ross Tucker Podcast” earlier this week that what Barkley did in 2024, his first season with the Eagles, was “special.”
Westbrook and Tucker, a former Wyomissing standout and NFL veteran, talked about the rarity of Barkley’s breakaway touchdown runs and how that separates him from the rest.
Barkley made history last year, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a single regular season. A big part of that was Barkley’s house calls. Including the playoffs, Barkley had seven rushing touchdowns of 60-plus yards, a new NFL record.
Westbrook had some long runs in his day, Tucker said. “Not like Saquon,” Westbrook quipped. The former Eagles running back continued with an interesting comparison for Barkley.
“He’s running away from people,” Westbrook said. “The only person that I’ve really come close to comparing this guy to is Bo Jackson. You remember Bo? He was just taking off and running away from people. That’s what Saquon is doing.”
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after running for a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half of the NFC Championship NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)(AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Jackson is one of the greatest athletes of all-time. The former Auburn star running back won the Heisman Trophy in 1985 and was the No. 1 overall pick by the Los Angeles Raiders in 1986. Jackson was a 1990 Pro Bowler and played eight years in MLB from 1986-1994.
Most remember Jackson for being a two-sport standout. But around the conversation around Barkley, Westbrook and Tucker talked about Jackson being 6-foot-1, 230 pounds, doing what he was doing as a running back. Barkley, listed at 6-foot, 233 pounds, is a similar size.
“He’s big,” Westbrook said of Barkley. “He’s 230. He’s quick. He’s fast. Long speed. He’s explosive. Great burst. Catches the ball out of the backfield. He can make you miss. He does everything that you want a running back to do. There’s no weakness there.”
Tucker wanted to make sure Westbrook didn’t sell himself short. The Eagles Hall of Fame inductee had a stellar career himself. Westbrook’s 5,995 rushing yards ranks third in Eagles history. He was a two-time Pro Bowler and a major part to the Eagles’ five NFC championship appearances from 2003 to 2009.
But Westbrook couldn’t stop raving about Barkley.
“Of course, a lot of the credit goes to the offensive line,” Westbrook said. “But when I see Saquon, I’m seeing the guy that I saw at Penn State, breaking off runs, making people miss. Then, you’re saying he’s not playing against the best talent in the world. Now, he’s doing those same things against the best talent in the world. And it’s made all the difference in the world.”
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