Saquon Barkley gave the Philadelphia Eagles exactly what they hoped for when he arrived, delivering a season that helped carry the team to a Super Bowl title. But the conversation around him has changed since that memorable run, with injuries and a drop in production making his place among the NFL’s best running backs a topic of debate.

Shannon Sharpe has now weighed in, and he believes Barkley’s reputation should not guarantee him a spot among the league’s elite.

Shannon Sharpe Says Saquon Barkley Is No Longer a Tier 1 RB

Speaking on “Nightcap,” Sharpe argued that Barkley should no longer be considered a Tier 1 running back, pointing to the difference between his dominant first season in Philadelphia and his more recent output.

Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards in 2024, earned AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors, and helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl. He followed that campaign with 1,140 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2025.

“And we’ve got to take Saquon [Barkley] out of that Tier 1. Saquon hasn’t been Tier 1 in a while, since his first year in Philly,” Sharpe said.

He stressed that an award-winning season remains part of a player’s record, but it does not guarantee a permanent place among the league’s elite.

“You don’t get to remain at that level. It’s pro sports. That’s what I love so much about it, Joe,” Sharpe said, before adding, “Oh, Joe, you got to update that résumé.”

Sharpe explained that his argument was about evaluating current production rather than erasing Barkley’s accomplishments. “We’re not trying to remove that, but we’re not going to allow you to stay in the upper echelon of running backs when your production is down here, and their production is up here,” he said.

This distinction matters when comparing him with other backs. Buffalo Bills running back James Cook has recorded 532 rushing yards and five touchdowns through five games, while Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson has 580 yards and four touchdowns. Both have handled substantially more carries than Barkley.

Sharpe placed Barkley in the same general category as Cook rather than among the top-tier backs, arguing that compensation should reflect that assessment.

“If James Cook, I would put him in the same category as James Cook,” he said, adding that a running back in that tier should receive between $12 million and $14 million.

Barkley’s 5.1 yards per carry suggests he can still produce when available. However, Sharpe’s argument focuses on the full picture, i.e., production, availability, and whether a player’s current performance matches his reputation.