From the episode

the last five rushing champions, so going back to Derrick Henry in 2020 through Saquon Barkley in 2024, so not including James Cook, so the five prior to 2025, they lost at least 848 yards and six touchdowns the following season...Derrick Henry and McCaffrey, both over 1,000 yards worse than they were the previous season, they both suffered significant injuries.

STACKED’s take

Negative signalProjection

Last 5 rushing champs lost 848+ yards next year; Cook faces regression risk.

The source highlights a concerning historical pattern: the last five rushing champions (Derrick Henry 2020 through Saquon Barkley 2024) all lost at least 848 rushing yards and six touchdowns the following season; Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey both lost over 1,000 yards after leading the league, though both suffered significant injuries (Henry's broken foot in 2021, McCaffrey's knee injury in 2024); the source warns this workload-driven regression pattern could apply to James Cook after his 2024 rushing title.

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