Saquon Barkley, the Philadelphia Eagles’ electrifying running back and new face of the franchise, will grace the cover of Madden NFL 26. The announcement heralds a season when Barkley really dazzled on the field. Most importantly, his impact shattered important records, ensuring that he firmly tattooed his name as one of football’s brightest and most menacing talents.
Over that sensational season, Barkley put up a remarkable 2,504 yards rushing and receiving combined between the regular season and playoffs. His performance not only earned him accolades but allowed him to secure a place in NFL history, breaking the single-season record for rushing yards. He put his athletic talent on display wherever he was used. One of the more eye-popping moments was back in early November when he jumped over cornerback Jarrian Jones on his way to a 14-yard gain vs Jacksonville. This play has been described as “one of the rare, defining moments in NFL history that would have once been described as ‘something out of a video game,’” by football analyst Evan Dexter.
Barkley’s accomplishments did not go unnoticed. It left him for the full season only 101 yards short of taking Eric Dickerson’s regular-season rushing title. Due to an incredible season, he won the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year award. He made a great claim on the award with an excellent season-long performance. As a reward, he was invited to join the exclusive Madden 99 Club, the first Eagles player to receive this honor in two decades.
In a nod to his exceptional season, Barkley expressed his excitement about being featured on the Madden cover and his membership in the 99 Club, stating, “Starring on the cover of Madden NFL 26 and being named to the Madden NFL ’99 Club’ are both dreams come true.”
The Eagles decision to rest their starters for the largely-meaningless season finale against the New York Giants. This required as a part, a truly unique player, Barkley. After that successful year, he got a two-year contract extension from the Eagles. This agreement ensures he’ll be a big part of the team’s future.
Barkley now joins the ranks of former Eagles players like Brian Dawkins, who appeared on the Madden cover in 2004, and David Akers, who graced it in 2006. This last season, his path has had everyone hooked. Today, they consider it one of the top five single-game performances ever by a running back in NFL history.
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