The Philadelphia Eagles have been buzzing with excitement this season, thanks largely to the arrival of star running back Saquon Barkley. His impact on the field has been immediate and impressive, with Barkley quickly becoming a focal point of the Eagles' offensive strategy.
Impactful Start to the Season
Through just two games, Barkley has amassed a staggering 52 touches, splitting them evenly with exactly 26 touches in each game. This workload reflects the team's commitment to utilizing his multifaceted skills as both a runner and a receiver. In Week 1, Barkley averaged 4.5 yards per carry, totaling 24 carries. He followed that up with 22 carries in Week 2, averaging 4.3 yards per carry.
Overall, Barkley's performance has been nothing short of stellar, boasting an average of 4.8 yards per touch—his highest since the 2019 season. This early-season success has fueled speculation about whether Barkley can maintain his pace and potentially reach historic numbers by the end of the season. At his current rate, Barkley is on track to amass 442 touches, a mark last achieved by DeMarco Murray in 2014.
A Historical Benchmark
DeMarco Murray set the bar high during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys before he joined the Eagles. However, it’s worth noting that Murray's transition to Philadelphia was marked by a significant drop in his performance; his yards-per-carry average plunged to a career-low of 3.6 during his time with the Eagles. This serves as a cautionary tale for both Barkley and the Eagles’ management as they navigate the season.
The experience of Le'Veon Bell also serves as a poignant reminder. Bell amassed 406 touches in 2017, but his career took a different turn as he held out for a lucrative contract extension in 2018 and struggled with a steep decline in performance by 2019, recorded among the lowest yards-per-carry average at 3.3 among running backs with 250 or more carries.
Management's Perspective
Understanding the need to balance Barkley's workload with his long-term health, Eagles' management is taking a proactive approach. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore highlighted the importance of this, stating, "Obviously from a longevity standpoint as the season progresses, we've got to be aware of it."
Moore elaborated further, emphasizing the weekly need for careful management. "We certainly recognize that and understand that aspect of it. We've got to do at times a better job of that as the game goes on, especially when you look at it more from a week-to-week perspective," he said.
Barkley's Confidence and Preparation
Barkley, however, remains confident in his ability to handle a heavy workload. "I think we do a good job of managing that here. Whether I do that on my own or take care of my body. Our guys in the strength room and training room do a really great job of monitoring that," said Barkley.
He further expressed confidence in his preparation and resilience. "I have no worries about that. That's why I train the way I do in the offseason, and the work I do in camp and in season to be able to take on the workload," he added.
Moore also expressed confidence in Barkley's ability to handle the demands placed upon him. "I think that's definitely fair. I think Saquon—he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job," he stated.
Looking Ahead
As the season progresses, the Eagles, their fans, and the broader NFL community will be keenly watching how Barkley's integration into the team evolves. His performance so far has set high expectations, invoking memories of past running back greats. Yet, it’s the careful balancing of ambition and prudence that might just determine how Barkley's chapter with the Eagles will be written.