Bleeding Green Nation
Eagles roster outlook: Running back
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl season is over and the 2025 NFL offseason is officially here. We’re continuing our Eagles roster outlook series by examining the running back position. PREVIOUSLY: Quarterback.
STATS: 801 snaps, 345 rushes, 2005 rushing yards, 5.8 average, 13 TD ... 43 targets, 33 receptions, 278 receiving yards, 8.4 average, 2 TD ... 2 fumbles
PLAYOFF STATS: 219 snaps, 91 rushes, 499 rushing yards, 5.5 average, 5 TD ... 15 targets, 13 receptions, 75 receiving yards, 0 TD ... 0 fumbles
REVIEW: 2024 was truly the season of Saquon Barkley. He was the NFL’s main character and he should have an MVP trophy that reflects as much. He’ll instead have to settle for Offensive Player of the Year. And now owning the NFL’s single-season rushing record with playoffs included. Barkley couldn’t have been more impressive as both as player and a leader in his first season with the Eagles. Without him, they do not make it to Super Bowl LIX and win it.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles riding Barkley as hard as they did was obviously worth it. But 482 total touches in one season is a lot! There are only nine instances when a player has logged more. It’s not unthinkable that Barkley could take a step back after such a major workload. But betting against him at this point seems foolish. The 28-year-old will probably have another awesome season in 2025. Note that Barkley is signed through 2026.
MY TAKE: Stay.
STATS: 301 snaps, 75 rushes, 290 rushing yards, 3.9 average, 1 TD ... 22 targets, 16 receptions, 116 receiving yards, 7.3 average, 0 TD ... 0 fumbles
PLAYOFF STATS: 42 snaps, 13 rushes, 42 rushing yards, 3.2 average, 0 TD ... 3 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards, 8.7 average, 0 TD ... 0 fumbles
REVIEW: Gainwell was much better suited for his 2024 role as RB2 behind a much superior RB1 than he was for his 2023 role as a rotational RB1. Gainwell helped to spell Barkley when the star needed a break in addition to contributing in some two-minute drill situations. Gainwell hardly lit up the stat sheet but he did the dirty work stuff, such as contributing on special teams.
OUTLOOK: Gainwell is set to be a free agent. Nick Sirianni REALLY loves him ... so maybe he tries to convince the Eagles to keep Gainwell. But maybe there’s a team out there that’s willing to give Gainwell a bigger role than he currently has in Philly. If that’s the case, the Eagles could be outbid. The unfortunate reality of the Birds’ situation is that they can’t keep everyone and RB2 isn’t a spot they should be looking to spend limited resources on.
MY TAKE: Go.
STATS: 65 snaps, 30 rushes, 82 rushing yards, 2.7 average, 0 TD ... 4 targets, 4 receptions, 35 receiving yards, 8.8 average, 0 TD ... 0 fumbles
PLAYOFF STATS: 10...
