The Philadelphia Eagles' running back situation is a pressing issue. Will they stick with their star player, Saquon Barkley, or make a change?
Barkley had an incredible 2024 season, rushing for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season and another 499 yards and five touchdowns in four playoff games. His performance earned him the chance to break the all-time single-season rushing record, but it ultimately wasn't meant to be.
Heading into 2025, there was little hope that Barkley could match his previous year's numbers. The immense workload he carried during the season, with an astronomical 482 touches, put a strain on his body. Despite his efforts, Barkley still looked like a top-notch player but not quite at the same level as in 2024.
One notable trend is how players who have had heavy workloads in their careers tend to experience a decline in production when they carry that workload again. Looking back at the numbers from 2000-2019, we can see this pattern emerge in other running backs.
Barkley himself didn't escape this trend. His yards per carry dropped significantly from 5.8 in 2024 to 4.1 in 2025. The factors contributing to his decline included a less-than-stellar offensive line and a lack of use in certain situations by the coaching staff.
The Eagles rewarded Barkley with a two-year contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, but his production dipped over the course of the season. After such an incredible 2024, it's hard to see how he can be expected to return to that form consistently going forward.
In contrast, Tank Bigsby showed promise during his time with the Eagles, particularly on the ground. Despite being underutilized at times by the coaching staff, Bigsby managed to produce some respectable numbers in his limited playing time. However, it remains to be seen whether he can build upon this performance and become a reliable option for the team moving forward.
On the other hand, Will Shipley had an underwhelming season, failing to carve out any meaningful contributions as a running back or in the return game. The Eagles' failure to use him more effectively has raised questions about his role on the team in 2026.
Finally, A.J. Dillon's tenure with the Eagles was marred by inconsistency and poor decision-making, culminating in his demotion from the 53-man roster after an underwhelming performance. His eventual exit from the team seems like a no-brainer given his lack of production and work ethic.
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles choose to handle their running back situation going forward. Will they stick with Barkley and hope for continued production despite some decline? Or will they make a change, potentially bringing in Bigsby or another player to share the workload? Only time will tell.
Barkley had an incredible 2024 season, rushing for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns during the regular season and another 499 yards and five touchdowns in four playoff games. His performance earned him the chance to break the all-time single-season rushing record, but it ultimately wasn't meant to be.
Heading into 2025, there was little hope that Barkley could match his previous year's numbers. The immense workload he carried during the season, with an astronomical 482 touches, put a strain on his body. Despite his efforts, Barkley still looked like a top-notch player but not quite at the same level as in 2024.
One notable trend is how players who have had heavy workloads in their careers tend to experience a decline in production when they carry that workload again. Looking back at the numbers from 2000-2019, we can see this pattern emerge in other running backs.
Barkley himself didn't escape this trend. His yards per carry dropped significantly from 5.8 in 2024 to 4.1 in 2025. The factors contributing to his decline included a less-than-stellar offensive line and a lack of use in certain situations by the coaching staff.
The Eagles rewarded Barkley with a two-year contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, but his production dipped over the course of the season. After such an incredible 2024, it's hard to see how he can be expected to return to that form consistently going forward.
In contrast, Tank Bigsby showed promise during his time with the Eagles, particularly on the ground. Despite being underutilized at times by the coaching staff, Bigsby managed to produce some respectable numbers in his limited playing time. However, it remains to be seen whether he can build upon this performance and become a reliable option for the team moving forward.
On the other hand, Will Shipley had an underwhelming season, failing to carve out any meaningful contributions as a running back or in the return game. The Eagles' failure to use him more effectively has raised questions about his role on the team in 2026.
Finally, A.J. Dillon's tenure with the Eagles was marred by inconsistency and poor decision-making, culminating in his demotion from the 53-man roster after an underwhelming performance. His eventual exit from the team seems like a no-brainer given his lack of production and work ethic.
Ultimately, it will be interesting to see how the Eagles choose to handle their running back situation going forward. Will they stick with Barkley and hope for continued production despite some decline? Or will they make a change, potentially bringing in Bigsby or another player to share the workload? Only time will tell.
. He was so dominant last year but now his production is down and it's not just him, it's a systemic issue. The O-line wasn't exactly on fire either 
. I think the Eagles need to reevaluate their playcalling and make sure they're using these RBs in the best way possible. Bigsby showed promise but we need to see more consistency from them 
. And shipley, man... he just needs a clear role 
. What's the plan for next year?
I also feel like Tank Bigsby was kinda snubbed last season, you know? They kept him on the bench for big games and it didn't really hurt 'em. So is he gonna be the one who steps up this year? 
. I mean, the guy was still putting up solid stats, but not at the same level as before. The contract extension is still a big deal for him, though 
. The question is, can he recapture some of that magic? It's also interesting to see how Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley will shake things up 
I think it's crazy that Saquon Barkley got that two-year contract extension, tbh... his production didn't really live up to expectations last year, and now they're throwing a ton of cash at him in hopes he'll come back strong? Like, I get it, he had an amazing 2024 season, but that's exactly what makes this situation so weird. And with the other running backs on the team, like Tank Bigsby and Will Shipley, I'm kinda hoping they step up their game instead of relying solely on Barkley. It'll be interesting to see how it all plays out, though! 
. I mean, he's still a top-notch player and all, but that workload is taking its toll on his body! It's like they're trying to break him or something 
. I'm not sure what the Eagles are gonna do, but I think they need to make a change if they wanna stay competitive in the NFL 
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but those 482 touches took a toll on him, you know? I mean, he still had a great year overall, but like, how can we expect consistency from someone who's been carrying so much weight on their body? 
And with the team not using Bigsby more effectively, it's gotta be tough for Barkley to get that extra boost of production. 
by extending Saquon Barkley's contract. The numbers just aren't there anymore, and it's clear he can't sustain his 2024 form. Maybe they should've made a change last year instead of hoping he'd magically bounce back? Tank Bigsby showed promise in limited playing time, so why not give him more reps? 
will shipley's role is pretty sketchy too, feels like they're giving him nothin' to work with 
now tank bigsby's got potential but needs more playing time 
dunno wut the future holds 4 these RBs 
