In 2024, the Philadelphia Eagles unleashed one of the most dominant rushing attacks in NFL history, storming their way to glory with a ground game that left defenses in the dust. Powered by the explosive duo of running back Saquon Barkley and dual-threat quarterback Jalen Hurts, the Birds racked up a jaw-dropping 3,048 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns during the regular season. They didn’t stop there—adding another 818 yards in the playoffs en route to hoisting their second Super Bowl trophy in under a decade. It was pure magic, a symphony of speed, power, and precision that had fans chanting “Fly Eagles Fly” louder than ever.
Barkley was the undisputed star of the show, earning a treasure trove of honors: AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, the top spot on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 list, and even gracing the cover of Madden 2026. Despite shattering records with 2,857 rushing yards, the Eagles’ GM Howie Roseman rewarded him with a fresh two-year, $41.2 million extension—a nod to his unparalleled dominance and a bet on his future fireworks.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the script has flipped in the most heartbreaking way. That $20.6 million-a-year phenom? He’s looking more like a shadow of his former self, an aging warrior who’s misplaced the turbo boost that once made him untouchable. Whispers of decline are turning into roars—Barkley isn’t delivering the explosive plays we crave, and it’s raising eyebrows across Philly and beyond.
Sure, some wear and tear was inevitable. After all, Barkley led the league in rushing attempts and total touchdowns last season, then piled on 104 more touches in a grueling playoff run that culminated in Super Bowl triumph. Even with some missed time earlier in his career with the Giants, he’s logged a staggering 2,216 touches—and he’ll hit 29 just around Super Bowl time. That’s a brutal toll on any body, no matter how elite.
So, should the Eagles bench their captain? On stats alone, you could argue yes—his ground game has dipped to a meager 62.2 yards per game on a paltry 3.7 yards per attempt, half of last year’s output. But football isn’t just numbers; it’s heart, chemistry, and leadership. Barkley is a locker-room favorite, a vocal leader, and still the guy who can flip a game when he’s at his peak. Sending him to the pine or faking an injury stint could shatter team morale, especially in a squad that’s already navigated its share of drama. Nick Sirianni’s job security owes as much to his people skills as his play-calling, and Jeffrey Lurie knows it—alienating a star like Barkley could spell disaster.
But here’s the game-changer: The Eagles don’t have to choose between loyalty and winning. They can keep Barkley engaged while unleashing a hidden gem to share the load. Enter Tank Bigsby—the 9.1 yards-per-carry mystery monster who’s quietly turning heads and could be the spark Philly desperately needs.
Why Bigsby Deserves the Spotlight as RB1B
Who’s got the Eagles’ highest yards-per-attempt average in 2025? Not Barkley. Not Hurts. Not even dark horses like Will Shipley or AJ Dillon (who’s barely seen the field in six games). It’s Bigsby, exploding for 164 yards on just 18 carries—a blistering 9.1 YPC that screams untapped potential.
Sample size small? Absolutely—Barkley chews up more than 18 rushes per game alone. But when Bigsby touches the rock, he attacks with a ferocity that’s missing from No. 26 right now. Take the Giants matchup: Bigsby erupted for his only 100-yard game of the year, needing just nine carries to hit 104 yards. Barkley? He grinded out 150 on 14 attempts, propped up by a 65-yard outlier—his longest scamper of the season. Against the Lions, Bigsby added 34 yards on four totes. Even in the Cowboys clash, his single rush went for eight yards—outshining Barkley’s dismal 2.2 YPC average that night, making it the top run by any Eagles back.
Flash back to Jacksonville last year: As a backup, Bigsby averaged 4.6 YPC on 168 rushes, flashing zone-running brilliance that echoes Barkley’s prime. He’s not just a fluke; he’s a third-year pro built for this scheme, thriving with vision, burst, and that extra gear.
Of course, handing Bigsby more snaps—say, a 40-40-20 split with Barkley and Shipley (the third-down specialist)—won’t fix everything overnight. Offensive coordinator Brian Patullo’s run designs have been predictable, often crashing straight into stacked boxes. And the O-line? They’ve underperformed, with center Cam Jurgens battling injuries and struggling mightily against both rush and pass when healthy.
Yet, after Barkley’s nationally televised dud against Dallas—arguably his nadir as an Eagle—can Philly really bank on him delivering 100-yard games on 25 carries? The math says no. It’s time to pivot: Elevate Bigsby, preserve Barkley’s legs for the playoffs, and reignite that run-first identity that fueled last year’s ring.
Heading into 2025, fans begged Roseman to build a true RB committee—draft a stud or snag a free agent to platoon with Barkley and keep him fresh. Dillon flopped, and UDFA Montrell Johnson Jr. remains sidelined. But Bigsby? He’s the unexpected answer, a zone-scheme savant with youth and hunger on his side. Why not fulfill that preseason vision now? Split the carries, ease the burden on the $41M man, and watch the magic unfold. Worst case? The run game stays stagnant. Best case? Bigsby ignites a revival, motivating Barkley to rediscover his elite form and propelling the Eagles back to contender status. The rumors are real—it’s time to let the monster loose!