PHILADELPHIA — When Saquon Barkley signed a three-year deal to join the Eagles in the offseason, LeSean McCoy had a hunch that the 27-year-old running back would hurdle his franchise single-season rushing record this very year.

Turns out, he could backward-hurdle it, too.

Just 13 games into the season, Barkley eclipsed the Eagles record of 1,607 yards that McCoy set in 16 contests in 2013. Barkley, the league's leader in rushing yards, posted 124 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday to bring his total for the year to 1,623.

As his 11-year-old record hung in the balance, McCoy rooted for Barkley with each successive yard.

"I don't want anybody else to break it but a guy like Saquon, who's a good dude," McCoy told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "He's going to be an Eagles great and he comes in every day giving 110%. I love dudes like that."

That inkling that his record was in jeopardy was rooted in familiarity. Long before Barkley suited up in midnight green, McCoy witnessed the talent that the Eagles were adding to their backfield. The Eagles Hall of Famer first saw a bit of himself in Barkley dating back to the latter's days at Penn State, where he displayed an ability to run, stop, and cut with explosiveness.

"He played a game against, I want to say Iowa," McCoy said. "And this dude was like hopping over people. Cutting back across the field. I'm like, 'Yo, who is this dude?'"

Still, McCoy noticed that Barkley had taken his game up a notch in his first year with the Eagles. The Coplay, Pa., native is a lot tougher than McCoy expected, a trait that shines through when he lowers his shoulder as he's finishing his runs or picking up blitzing defenders in pass protection.

Pair his skill set with an offensive line that boasts a history of dominance and the Eagles had a recipe to shatter McCoy's record. But even McCoy can admit that the offensive line has outperformed his expectations at the outset of the season. Despite losing Jason Kelce to retirement, the new-look group has excelled at paving the way for Barkley.

"To have a great running back is one thing, but then to give a great running back some room and opportunity, it's a perfect fit, man," said McCoy, 36. "Perfect fit for a great, talented running back and a great offensive line. That's why they're both one of one."

McCoy got to watch the Eagles' top-ranked rushing offense in person when he was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame ahead of the Nov. 3 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The night evolved into a special one for Barkley, too. While standing behind the corner of the end zone toward the end of the first half, McCoy had a gut feeling that Barkley was going to have a chance to hit a home run.

The Eagles incurred a penalty that backed them up to the Jaguars' 19-yard line on third-and-17. McCoy figured that the Eagles would hand the ball off to Barkley with just 28 seconds remaining in the second quarter. If he didn't score, they would settle for a field goal.

Sure enough, Barkley breezed past the Jaguars defense on his way into the end zone, where he celebrated with McCoy moments later. Surrounded by the exuberant home crowd at the Linc, McCoy experienced the excitement that Barkley has been creating all season long.

"It's like I was playing again," McCoy said. "Man, that's one thing I can say with Saquon is he's bringing that energy back to the city. And to even the former players, where it's electric out there. Every time he touches the ball, you hold your breath, 'cause he might do something spectacular."

Earlier in the quarter, McCoy also watched Barkley make his now-famed backward hurdle over a Jaguars defender. As he observed the move in real time with his family, McCoy had a feeling that he was witnessing a piece of franchise history.

"In 20 years, they're going to talk about that play, and that's the day that they induct him into the Eagles Hall of Fame," McCoy said.

Since then, Barkley has continued making history. He broke McCoy's franchise single-game rushing record (217 yards in 2013 against the Detroit Lions) with his 255-yard performance on the ground against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 24.

Barkley sealed that record with a 72-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Upon returning to the sideline to celebrate with his teammates, Barkley informed offensive linemen Jordan Mailata and Landon Dickerson that they — the group, not just Barkley — had broken McCoy's record.

McCoy took his acknowledgment as a sign of respect. The respect goes both ways, because from McCoy's perspective, Barkley's performance this season is raising the profile of the running back.

"We're a fraternity," McCoy said. "The running backs, they've tried to devalue us for so long. And now with all the best teams, the running backs are playing well. Now we have a running back that's actually up for MVP. So now you've got to change the narrative on the running backs."

While Barkley is still young in McCoy's eyes, the time will come when the next great running back seeks to overtake the franchise records that Barkley has set this season. Much like how McCoy has chosen to be an advocate for Barkley, he said he knows that Barkley will take a similar approach with the next generation.

"That's what a real family does, right?" McCoy said. "A brotherhood. That's what the NFL is.

"Even though we compete, you want the best for the next running backs to come, over and over again."

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