Saquon Barkley ran his way past Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield to win the both the NFL’s and the AP’s offensive rookie of the year awards on Saturday.
Barkley’s NFL debut was a season for the record books. He became the third rookie in league history to total more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage and set the record for receptions by a rookie running back, as well as breaking the New York Giants’ rookie record for rushing yards. The fact that his highlight plays looked like something out of the Madden video game series didn’t hurt his case, either.
Despite an otherwise historic season, beating out the competition wasn’t easy for Barkley. The talented and franchise-changing Mayfield gave Browns’ fan reasons to hope by breaking the rookie passing touchdown record and getting the Browns their first win in more than a year.
This award is the latest Barkley received for his stellar rookie season. He was voted by fans as the Pepsi NFL rookie of the year earlier this week, and the Pro Football Writers of America also gave him offensive rookie of the year honors for his standout season. Additionally, Barkley played in the Pro Bowl.
