The Philadelphia Eagles kick off their Super Bowl defense tomorrow night against the Dallas Cowboys. One of the main reasons for their success last year was running back Saquon Barkley.
Barkley signed with the Eagles as a free agent after spending his first six seasons with their rival, New York Giants.
In Barkley’s first season with the Eagles, he exceeded expectations. He rushed for 2,000 yards, 13 touchdowns, and ended the season lifting the Lombardi Trophy.
But after a career season last year, should the Eagles give Saquon less of a workload?
There have only been 8 other running backs in the history of the NFL that have rushed for 2,000 yards. Of those 8 running backs only three of them have ever gotten within 300 yards of 2,000 again after their 2,000 yard season. Derrick Henry, OJ Simpson, and Eric Dickerson.
Out of the other five, one of them retired after just one more season following his 2,000 yard season, that was Barry Sanders. The other four slowly declined after their 2,000 yard season and/or dealt with injury issues.
Is it possible that behind the Eagles offensive line that Saquon could get very close to 2,000 again? Yes, of course it is. But the real question is whether or not it’s worth it.
Barkley is 28 years old and running backs do not have the longevity that they used to. The NFL is a physical league(even if it is softer than it used to be) and a man can only take so many hits. I’m well aware Saquon is no normal man, just look at the guy.
But if the Philadelphia Eagles want to get back to the Super Bowl, they need to keep Saquon Barkley as healthy as possible. That means giving him less of a workload.
Barkley carried the ball 345 times last season, which was the most of his career. The next closest was his 295 carries in 2022. The Eagles have enough weapons on offense that he does not need to get the ball over 300 times again this year.
Quarterback Jalen Hurts has proven that he is an elite passer and with AJ Brown and Devonta Smith he will have no problem airing it out. Oh, and who could forget about the good ole “Tush Push” there will be plenty of those this season.
On top of that, Will Shipley is now in his second season and will serve as the primary backup for Saquon. In his few appearances last year, he showed flashes of being a reliable backup option. New offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo needs to find a way to get Shipley more involved this season to take some of the load off of Barkley.
If the Eagles want to have continued success and keep Saquon Barkley around for a few more years, giving him less carries will accomplish that. Saquon will still be a major factor in the Eagles offense but let’s not expect him to get a 2nd consecutive 2,000 yard season. I think Eagles fans will be just fine with that if it helps lead them back to a 2nd straight Super Bowl.
-Walsh
The Philly Phan Cave 
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