Eagles GM unsurprised by Saquon's historic season: It's 'who he is'

Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman isn't surprised by how dominant running back Saquon Barkley has been in his first season with the team.

"I'd like to say he's exceeded expectations, but he's always been one of the best players I've ever seen whenever I've watched him, and I have always known about what kind of person he is because it's not hard to find that out," Roseman said, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.

"So I'm really not surprised by any of this, and I don't say that in an arrogant way. It's based on who he is, nothing to do with me, because this is who he's always been. And I'm just glad everyone gets to see that."

Barkley has had one of the best seasons ever by a running back, setting several Eagles franchise records in the process. He became the ninth RB in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season and was named a first-team All-Pro for the first time in his career.

He signed a three-year, $38-million deal with the Eagles in free agency last offseason after six seasons with the rival New York Giants.

"(He's been a) huge, huge player and person for this team. And (signing him was) not a hard trigger to pull," Roseman added. "I think I'm being consistent with what I said in March - was extremely confident in the player and the person."

Barkley has been just as dominant in the postseason, averaging 147 yards rushing across three games while scoring five touchdowns. The soon-to-be 28-year-old needs just 30 yards to break the all-time single-season rushing record, including the postseason, set by the Denver Broncos' Terrell Davis in 1998.

But the former Penn State star is focused on capping his historic season with a win against the Kansas City Chiefs this Sunday in Super Bowl LIX.

"The only thing that makes it special is winning a Super Bowl," Barkley said, per The Associated Press.