Philadelphia Eagles fans have a lot to cheer about this season, primarily due to the stellar performance of their newly-acquired star running back, Saquon Barkley. His arrival has injected a fresh wave of optimism, and early statistics suggest he’s living up to the hype.
A Strong Start
Through just two games, Barkley has already racked up an impressive 52 touches. Remarkably consistent, he managed exactly 26 touches in each game. In Week 1, Barkley averaged an impressive 4.5 yards per carry from 24 carries. He followed that up in Week 2 with a similarly strong performance, averaging 4.3 yards per carry on 22 carries. This brings his overall average to 4.8 yards per touch, his best since 2019.
Volume and History
Barkley's current pace suggests he could end his first season in Philadelphia with a staggering 442 touches. This is a feat last achieved by DeMarco Murray in 2014, during his time with the Dallas Cowboys. After joining the Eagles, Murray recorded the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career at 3.6. This past statistic offers both a cautionary tale and a challenge for Barkley.
Learning from the Past
Le'Veon Bell, another high-profile running back, accumulated 406 touches in 2017. However, following a contract holdout in 2018, Bell experienced a dramatic drop in performance by 2019, with a mere 3.3 yards per carry, one of the lowest among running backs with 250 or more carries. Such patterns underline the need for a balanced workload to maintain peak performance.
Coaching Awareness
Eagles' management and coaching staff are keenly aware of the necessity to monitor Barkley’s workload. Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore emphasized this by saying, "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's Resilience
Saquon Barkley himself addressed concerns about his workload, highlighting the extensive preparation he undertakes. "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," Barkley asserted confidently. He also praised the Eagles' support staff, saying, "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."
Team Dynamics
The interlocking roles within the Eagles' organization also contribute to this careful approach. Kellen Moore acknowledges Barkley’s desire for a significant role on the field, "I think that's definitely fair. I think Saquon -- he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job."
As the season progresses, maintaining this balance will be crucial. Barkley's performance has set a high bar, and with mindful management, Eagles fans have every reason to be optimistic about the journey ahead.