The Philadelphia Eagles shook up the NFL world by signing running back Saquon Barkley to a three-year deal, marking a significant deviation from their typical approach to running backs. Barkley, widely considered the top halfback in the free-agent market, has sparked intense debate about his potential impact on the Eagles’ offense.
Breaking the Mold
The Eagles have historically been reluctant to invest heavily in running backs. They allowed Miles Sanders to depart last offseason and showed little interest in retaining D’Andre Swift. The decision to part ways with Swift was likely influenced by their plan to acquire Barkley, but even if that plan had fallen through, it’s doubtful Swift would have been re-signed. So, why did the Eagles decide to break their mold for Barkley?
Saquon Barkley Effect
Fans and analysts alike believe Barkley will transform Philadelphia’s offense with his versatility and elite rushing skills. However, a closer look at his career raises questions about this assumption.
Barkley’s career began with a bang, earning a Pro Bowl selection during his rookie season with the New York Giants. Yet, since that impressive start, his performance has been hampered by injuries. The 27-year-old has not completed a full season since 2018. He played 16 out of 17 games in 2022, marking his most productive season since his rookie year, but his other seasons have been marred by injuries, including a torn ACL.
Injury Concerns
In 2023, Barkley missed three games due to an ankle injury and averaged just 3.9 yards per carry. This was a drop from his 4.4 yards per attempt in 2022, which, while decent, is far from his stellar five yards per carry in 2018.
The concern isn’t just his injury history but also his potential decline. Running backs have notoriously short careers, and Barkley‘s extensive injury list raises doubts about the $12.5 million annual investment the Eagles have made.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Offensive Potential
On paper, the Eagles’ offense looks formidable. With Jalen Hurts at quarterback, Barkley in the backfield, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith as wide receivers, and Dallas Goedert at tight end, the team is loaded with talent. However, the offensive line could suffer a significant setback with the potential departure of Jason Kelce, a loss that has not received enough attention.
This is essentially the same Eagles team that lost six of their last seven games last season, including a crushing Wild Card Round playoff defeat to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Despite this, head coach Nick Sirianni remains at the helm, despite criticism that he had lost the team’s confidence.
The theory that Barkley will single-handedly elevate the Eagles’ offense is compelling but not guaranteed. Even at his best, Barkley’s impact is contingent on his health. His past injuries and inconsistent performance cast doubt on whether he can reclaim his former glory in Philadelphia.
Saquon Barkley has the potential to be a game-changer for the Eagles, but his injury history and recent performance trends suggest caution. As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on Barkley to see if he can stay healthy and deliver the explosive plays that made him a star.
