One unnamed NFL offensive coach voiced a specific worry about what running back Saquon Barkley will and won’t be during his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
“Probably not as fast as he used to be,” that coach said about Barkley during a recent chat with Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. “He has the ability to make people miss in space, which is sometimes bad since you think you can bounce it and outrun people. But when he does get downhill, running in between tackles, he’s so strong naturally that he’s hard to tackle. He runs through arm tackles. Just has to decide to do it.”
Barkley was the primary offensive talent for the New York Giants from the 2018 NFL Draft until recently. However, concerns arise due to his extensive injury history. He faced multiple ankle issues with the Giants, suffered a torn ACL in September 2020, and missed three games last season due to another ankle injury.
In March 2023, the Giants used the non-exclusive franchise tag to keep Barkley, who then signed a modified one-year deal last summer. He became a free agent in March and ultimately signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million, potentially rising to $46.75 million with $26 million fully guaranteed, to join the Eagles.
Some believe that Barkley’s addition will significantly boost the Eagles’ chances of contending for the Super Bowl in 2024. This optimism stems from the upgrade in Philadelphia’s offensive line compared to what he experienced with the Giants. Barkley joins an offense led by Jalen Hurts, a 2022 MVP finalist, and talented wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.
An AFC scout praised Barkley, predicting he will excel with the Eagles: “He’s going to thrive with the weapons around him, the dual-threat QB, shotgun runs, and his versatility—it’s a perfect fit
On Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the Eagles among the top contenders (+700 odds) to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LIX. Despite criticisms about paying veteran running backs in today’s NFL, Barkley’s potential impact in helping Philadelphia reach the championship game over the next three years is seen as in valuable.
