Saquon Barkley Could Expand His Role in the Aerial Game for the Eagles
It is anticipated that Eagles star Saquon Barkley will increase his involvement in the passing game in 2025. This strategy would seek to counteract the intense attention he receives as a running back, leveraging his versatility and skills in different facets of the offensive game. Barkley is coming off a historic season, in which he became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in the regular season. In addition, he added 499 yards and five touchdowns in the postseason, leading Philadelphia to their second Super Bowl title. The Chiefs’ defensive approach in Super Bowl LIX demonstrated the need to diversify the offense. Although the Eagles secured a convincing victory, Barkley faced a tough day, running for only 57 yards on 25 attempts. The Chiefs deployed seven or more defenders in the box on 38 plays during the Super Bowl, one of the highest figures of the season. In addition, they ran only seven blitzes, in part to avoid being outmatched by Barkley. This limited Barkley to an average of 2.3 yards per carry.Jalen Hurts, awarded Super Bowl MVP, demonstrated that the Eagles’ passing game, with standout players like A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, can be equally effective. However, Barkley remains a fundamental pillar in the offense, and the Eagles will seek to maximize his impact. Barkley has been very active as a receiver in training camp, lining up in various positions and challenging defenders at short, intermediate, and long distances. He has made difficult catches, demonstrating his athleticism and adaptability. In his rookie season in 2018, Barkley had 91 receptions for a career-high 721 yards. Last season, he recorded 33 receptions for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns. An increase in his pass-game production is expected, even with the presence of Brown, Smith, and tight end Dallas Goedert. Barkley will share the field with AJ Dillon and Will Shipley, who also possess receiving skills. The Eagles will manage Barkley’s playing time after recording a career-high 345 attempts in 2024. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo commented on Barkley’s workload, indicating that it will depend on the development of the game and how he is used. Barkley will have an important role in making decisions about his time on the field, always prioritizing the team’s success.“The Chiefs did a great job. Every time I watch that game or see clips, I was in hell, for sure,” Barkley said. “But the good thing about playing for the Philadelphia Eagles is that we have a lot of great players around us, so whatever teams do, it’s like picking your poison.”
Saquon Barkley
