Philadelphia Eagles fans have every reason to be excited this season, thanks in large part to the arrival of star running back Saquon Barkley. Through just two games, Barkley has already made a significant impact, racking up 52 touches—an impressive feat that indicates both his skill and the team’s reliance on him.
Barkley has been remarkably consistent, with exactly 26 touches in each game. His performance metrics are also strong: in Week 1, he averaged 4.5 yards per carry across 24 carries, and in Week 2, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry from 22 carries. Collectively, Barkley's season average is standing tall at 4.8 yards per touch, his highest since 2019.
A Historical Pace
Should Barkley maintain this pace, he could finish his first season with the Eagles having amassed an astounding 442 touches. The last running back to reach such a challenging mark was DeMarco Murray in 2014, a season he spent with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Eagles. However, Murray's tenure in Philadelphia was marred by ineffective performance, recording the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career at 3.6.
It’s worth noting parallels in the cautionary tale of Le’Veon Bell, who had 406 touches in 2017 but suffered a sharp decline by 2019, with one of the lowest yards-per-carry averages at merely 3.3 among running backs with 250 or more carries. This highlights the importance of managing the workload of an elite back like Barkley.
Management’s Concerns
Eagles' management, spearheaded by Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore, is acutely aware of the need to monitor Barkley's workload. "Obviously from a longevity standpoint as the season progresses, we've got to be aware of it," Moore acknowledges. "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."
The Eagles are committed to finding a balance to maximize Barkley’s contributions while preserving his health. Their strategic approach, including input from the strength and training teams, is designed to ensure Barkley can sustain his high level of performance throughout the season.
Barkley's Confidence
Barkley himself exudes confidence when it comes to handling his heavy workload. "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 asserts. Barkley feels well-equipped to manage the demands of being the focal point of the Eagles’ offense, citing his own routines and the support from the team’s support staff. "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," he says.
Moore echoes this sentiment, praising Barkley's determination and readiness. "I think Saquon -- he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job," Moore states, emphasizing the running back's immense value to the team. Barkley's commitment to preparation and physical maintenance appears to be paying dividends on the field, as his statistics testify.
As the season progresses, the Eagles will continue to watch Barkley's touches closely. Balancing his dynamic talent with the need to keep him fresh remains a critical goal for Philadelphia’s coaching staff. If managed well, Barkley could not only thrive but potentially set new benchmarks for running backs in the NFL.