A non-quarterback has won Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year for a fourth consecutive season, as Saquon Barkley garnered the most votes from his peers in 2024. He’s the first Philadelphia Eagles star to win the award since SN’s Player of the Year was split into Offensive and Defensive categories in 2008.
Although Sporting News OPOY saw quarterbacks dominate early, winning 11 of the first 13 honors separated from defense, Barkley is the fourth consecutive player from another offensive position to be the leading vote-getter.
Barkley is only the third running back after Adrian Peterson (2012) and Jonathan Taylor (2021) to earn the honor in the 17 years of its existence, but his inclusion among those stars is well-deserved after his historic 2024 season.
Why Saquon Barkley is SN’s 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
Barkley rushed for a league-leading 2,005 rushing yards during his first regular season with the Eagles after leaving the rival Giants. He joined Peterson in going from the 2,000-yard club to SN OPOY. Before 2008, O.J. Simpson, Barry Sanders, and Terrell Davis all won different iterations of the SN award for their 2K efforts.
History says for a running back to win SN OPOY or be in contention for Associated Press NFL MVP, he needs to have an extra special season to keep either from being a “quarterback award.”
Barkley was rather convincing to SN’s 900-plus player voters. He received almost as many first-place votes (369) as the two top quarterbacks, the Bills‘ Josh Allen (188) and the Ravens‘ Lamar Jackson (181), got combined.
There were many reasons Barkley won in such a landslide.
On top of being the new NFL rushing champion, Barkley led the league in carries (345), touches (378), and scrimmage yards (2,283). He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and 8.4 yards per catch while totaling 15 TDs. He also did it while playing in only 16 games, resting in Week 18 before starring again during the Eagles’ playoff run to Super Bowl 59.
MORE: Can Barkley catch Terrell Davis for the single-season combined rushing record?
Barkley was the prolific workhorse on an offense that called running plays almost 56 percent of the time with new coordinator Kellen Moore. He was responsible for 36.6 percent of the Eagles’ offensive yardage.
While AP voters were deciding between Allen vs. Jackson for MVP without Barkley seriously figuring into the equation, it was difficult for players to differentiate between the two QBs, thus leading to a tight 2-3 finish for Allen and Jackson in the SN OPOY voting.
Barkley stood out a little more at his position — and stood out more in general around the league. Barkley had some dazzling big runs and jaw-dropping moments, including his viral reverse hurdle. There’s also a sense Barkley deserved this kind of individual and team success after toiling through injury attrition and not much winning with the Giants. The reverence from his peers is real and massive, matching his eye-popping rushing total.
Sporting News doesn’t hand out its own NFL MVP because there’s deference to the AP honor. OPOY, which also exists for the AP, comes with a different connotation. AP’s version of the award has started to go to the best non-QB who had the best season.
For SN, OPOY in essence is the “Players’ Choice MVP.” In that respect, there’s no doubt Barkley was the most popular and worthiest selection.
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Sporting News Offensive Player of the Year Winners (since ’08)
- 2024: Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
- 2023: Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
- 2022: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
- 2021: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
- 2020: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
- 2019: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
- 2018: Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs
- 2017: Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
- 2016: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
- 2015: Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
- 2014: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
- 2013: Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos
- 2012: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
- 2011: Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
- 2010: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
- 2009: Drew Brees, QB, Saints
- 2008: Drew Brees, QB, Saints