Philadelphia Eagles Welcome Saquon Barkley with High Expectations
The Philadelphia Eagles' fanbase has been buzzing with anticipation this season as star running back Saquon Barkley dons their colors. With just two games under his belt, Barkley has already demonstrated why he is a valuable addition to the roster, achieving impressive numbers early on.
Barkley has accumulated an impressive 52 touches in his first two games, splitting them equally with 26 touches apiece each game. This consistency is a testament to both his endurance and the Eagles' trust in their new offensive weapon. Notably, Barkley averaged 4.5 yards per carry in Week 1 on 24 carries, followed by a 4.3-yard average on 22 carries in Week 2. Overall, this season, Barkley stands out with a 4.8 yards per touch average — his highest since 2019.
The Eagles' management is acutely aware of the importance of monitoring Barkley's workload to ensure his longevity throughout the season. Kellen Moore, speaking on this matter, emphasized, "Obviously from a longevity standpoint as the season progresses, we've got to be aware of it." He further elaborated, "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."
Barkley himself appears unfazed by the heavy workload, crediting his offseason regime and support system. "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," Barkley stated confidently. He added, "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."
Looking at historical comparisons, if Barkley continues at his current pace, he could finish his first season with the Eagles with a staggering 442 touches. The last running back to hit this mark was DeMarco Murray in 2014 during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. Interestingly, Murray later joined the Eagles, but during his tenure, he posted the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career at 3.6. Another example is Le'Veon Bell, who accrued 406 touches in 2017. Bell’s career took a hit after he held out in 2018 for a contract extension, and by 2019, he had one of the lowest yards-per-carry averages among running backs with 250 or more carries at 3.3.
The Eagles clearly recognize the need to avoid a similar decline in performance for Barkley. As Moore stated, "I think that's definitely fair. I think Saquon — he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job." This recognition and approach might just be the right formula to keep Barkley at the peak of his game throughout the season.
Philadelphia Eagles fans hope that with careful management and Barkley's inherent resilience, their new star running back will continue to shine brightly. The synergy between the coaching staff's cautious approach and Barkley's robust preparation appears to offer a promising season ahead.