Philadelphia Eagles enthusiasts have every reason to be thrilled as this season welcomes star running back, Saquon Barkley, into the fold. Barkley's performance in the first two games has been nothing short of remarkable, setting high expectations for the trajectory of his inaugural season in Philadelphia.
Through just two games, Barkley has amassed an impressive 52 touches, equally distributed with 26 touches per game. His consistency is reflected in his yards-per-carry averages, boasting 4.5 yards in Week 1 with 24 carries, and slightly dipping to 4.3 yards in Week 2 with 22 carries. These early stats push his season average to 4.8 yards per touch, the highest since his breakout 2019 season.
Impressive Projections and Historic Comparisons
Barkley's current pace suggests a potential 442 touches by the end of the season, an amount reminiscent of DeMarco Murray's 442 touches in 2014. It's worth noting that Murray, who achieved this feat with the Dallas Cowboys before joining the Eagles, recorded the lowest yards-per-carry average of his career at 3.6 during his stint in Philadelphia. Similarly, Le'Veon Bell's 406 touches in 2017 precede a sharp decline to a 3.3 yards-per-carry average by 2019, underlining the physical toll such heavy workloads can take.
Given these historical precedents, the Eagles' management is acutely aware of the need to monitor Barkley's workload to avoid diminishing returns. Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore expressed this sentiment, saying, "Obviously from a longevity standpoint as the season progresses, we've got to be aware of it."
Balancing Workload for Sustained Performance
Moore underscores the importance of week-to-week management, stating, "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." This cautious approach aims to balance Barkley's current productivity with sustainable performance over the long season.
Barkley himself is confident in his ability to handle the workload, attributing it to his rigorous training regime and the support from the Eagles' support staff. "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," Barkley said. His confidence is further evident in his statements, "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."
A Natural Leader on the Field
Beyond the numbers and the management strategies, Barkley’s desire to be at the forefront is palpable. Moore highlighted this aspect, noting, "I think that's definitely fair. I think Saquon -- he wants the rock. He's done a phenomenal job." This mindset not only sets the tone for Barkley's season but also galvanizes the team, whose fortunes may well be tied to his performance.
As the season unfolds, all eyes will be on how the Eagles manage Barkley's usage while keeping him firing on all cylinders. With a mix of historical caution and present-day optimism, the Eagles aim to harness Barkley’s peak abilities to pave the way for a successful campaign.