It’s been 12 years since Adrian Peterson won his MVP with his 2000-yard season in 2012 with the Minnesota Vikings. Since then, all QBs have won the award. Today we will break down Saquon Barkley’s chances in winning the coveted award, that has been nicknamed by fans ‘The Quarterback Award’.

Obviously we are assuming in this story that Barkley hits their average (126.5 rushing yards) in every remaining game on the year.

You can see Barkley’s full 2024 stats here with the help of Pro Football Reference

Saquon Barkley’s stats (projection)

2,151 rushing yards, 397 receiving yards, 18 touchdowns, 2,548 total yards

Adrian Peterson’s 2012 MVP season stats

2,097 rushing yards, 217 receiving yards, 13 touchdowns, 2,314 total yards

Adrian Peterson’s 2012 MVP stats through 12 games

234 attempts, 1,446 yards, 8 touchdowns

45 targets, 36 receptions, 195 yards

Breaking down Barkley’s chances

Now we are assuming Barkley rushes for over 125 yards a game for him to hit these MVP numbers like Adrian Peterson did, but even if he didn’t break Dickerson’s record (2105 rushing yards) and continues to have monster games with monster plays, how can we not at least put him in the conversation?

Barkley’s 2024 stats (so far thru W12)

223 attempts, 1392 yards, 53 first downs, 6.2 yards per attempt, 20.3 attempts per game,

Barkley’s stats this season compared to any year in New York is just marvelous to look at. Barkley is having a career year and the season isn’t even over yet. Now he has to continue to bring in these 100+ yard games, but if he does, I am very confident that he can win the MVP award and here’s why.

2000 yard club

Barkley would only be the third running back in history to join the 2000-yard club, Adrian Peterson, MVP winner and Derrick Henry in his 2020 campaign reached 2000+ yards. Now I know Henry didn’t win MVP in 2020, that was won by Aaron Rodgers with a 48 TD season.

Now I know Henry’s season in 2020 was one to remember, as he is also on his way to potentially having another 2000 yard season if he can stay on pace with his averages as well. But Barkley would beat out both running back’s in terms of total yardage. Now I know in this day in age, yards don’t mean nothing, it’s all about touchdowns.

But you can’t deny that Barkley being a quarter of the way to 10k yards, is insanely impressive for a running back, who’s on a team with so many offensive pieces around.

Career High Numbers for Barkley

Not only is Barkley on pace for a 2000 yard season, he has already broken his previous career high of rushing yards. It’s only week 12. This is insanely impressive, and is also on pace to have the most rushing attempts in his career. If Barkley is able to keep these numbers up, he would have his highest yards per attempt in his career, as well as rushing yards per game. He is also one touchdown away from matching his career high of 11 touchdowns scored in a single season.

Barkley since his move to the Eagles has been on a whole different level. We always knew Barkley was a good running back, but for him to already beat out his career high for rushing yards, has to put some people on notice surely.

A very big thing that has put Barkley’s name in the conversation, is his most recent performance. A solid 255-rushing yard game, with over 302 total yards, and 2 touchdowns. Barkley had a outstanding game which will be talked about for seasons to come. Barkley has always been a amazing running back. But he had never broken the 200-yard rushing mark, but he absolutely crushed it and opened up the conversation if a 300-yd performance in today’s NFL is possible.

Now Saquon needs to continue having these big games but if he can, then Barkley’s name needs to be in the conversation for MVP. Barkley would be the seventh running back who has won the MVP award. Regardless though, this season should 100% put his on pace for tons of awards including a Pro Bowl spot, OPOY conversation, NFL 1st-Team, and the list goes on.