Saquon Barkley is on a mission this season. As we sit just hours away from the Eagles’ second preseason game of the summer, the dynamic running back patiently awaits his debut in Philadelphia’s explosive offense.
Barkley will run behind the best offensive line since he entered the NFL, and the skill position groups surrounding him will ensure that he sees a light seven or man box. 2024 allows the former Penn State star to log a 1,500-yard rushing season.
In Maurice Jones-Drew’s running back rankings ahead of the 2024 NFL season, Barkley landed in the top five at No. 5.
It’s going to take a game or two to get used to seeing Saquon in an Eagles uniform, but it should be exciting from the jump. The expectations are high for a rushing attack that features Barkley, who put up 1,200-plus scrimmage yards in four of six seasons with the Giants, and dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts. I know there are a lot of mouths to feed in an offense that also boasts A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert, but Barkley is a special player whom the Eagles know well. He’ll get plenty of opportunities.
Nothing helps a quarterback regain his swagger like a talented, dual-threat running back who can be a home run threat on all three downs.
Barkley played six seasons with the Eagles’ NFC East rival. In 74 career games with New York, the 27-year-old rushed 1,201 times for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. Barkley was also a weapon in the passing game, tallying 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
He’ll now give Jalen Hurts and the Eagles a dynamic, three-down running back that should flourish in Kellen Moore’s offensive system while opening things up for A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.
