Saquon Barkley’s 2023 season has been one of the most standout performances in the NFL, with the Philadelphia Eaglesrunning back showcasing his skills both on the ground and in the air.

With 1,137 rushing yards and 8 touchdowns in 10 games, Barkley has been a key piece in his team’s success. However, his MVP candidacy is being hampered by an unexpected factor: the “tush push” system that the Eagles use in the red zone with quarterback Jalen Hurts.

The “tush push” is a play in which Hurts, assisted by his offensive line, powers forward in short-yardage situations, making it a highly effective tool near the goal line.

However, this play has had a direct impact on Barkley’s touchdown stats. Often, the running back has been tackled on the 2-yard line or the 1-yard line, only for Hurts to finish the play with a touchdown on the next attempt.

This has caused Barkley, who has certainly earned the right to be in position to score, to see his own touchdown numbers limited.

Jason Kelce defends Saquon Barkley’s MVP candidacy

Former Eagles center Jason Kelce, brother of Travis Kelce, defended Barkley on his New Heights podcast. Kelce argued that Barkley’s lack of touchdowns shouldn’t be a determining factor in his MVP bid.

“Barkley is the one putting the team in position to score. He shouldn’t be penalized because Hurts finishes the plays,” said Kelce.

He believes that while Barkley’s touchdown numbers might not be as high as they could be, his contribution to the team has been crucial and deserves recognition for his overall performance this season.

In the Eagles‘ victory over the Washington Commanders, for example, Barkley iced the game with two long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter, finishing with nearly 200 total yards in the game.

However, if he had been able to score on those goal-line opportunities, his touchdown total could have been much higher, which would have further strengthened his MVP case.

There’s still plenty of season left to see Barkley shine

With a second half of the season still ahead, Barkley has the chance to continue shining and prove that his impact on the field goes beyond just the numbers.

While winning the MVP is historically difficult for a running back, his talent and determination make him a strong contender, especially if he keeps delivering big performances. Regardless of the outcome, his season is already worthy of recognition.