How Saquon Barkley Plans to Dominate in 2025 — With Burst Like A Rookie While Conserving Energy Like a Veteran.
Don’t tell this to your parents or grandparents — but generally age 65 is considered as a senior citizen. You know — the golden years and for those are able to — retirement. For an NFL running back — when you approach the age of thirty — you are generally considered over-the-hill (It’s a darn good thing that Eagles running back Saquon Barkley isn’t just any running back.)
This offseason has seen a whirlwind for Barkley — who inked a 2-year, $41.2 million contract extension in March. Two weeks ago — Barkley commented on the Chris Long podcast (Green Light)— that like Barry Sanders — he might retire with no more than a moment’s notice. In his first Eagles press conference since March — he addressed questions about what his offseason has been like since hoisting the Lombardi. But it may just be something in those comments that could shed light on how both the Eagles and Barkley plan to approach the 2025–2026 NFL Season.
No NFL running back has ever run for consecutive 2,000 yard seasons. And Barkley’s comments — seem to suggest that the Eagles not only signed him to the two-year extension — but also took some NFL history into account by making certain that he took needed rest after the victory celebration.
The Eagles not only know that they need to preserve Barkley for key moments in this upcoming season. But they also know that as in Super Bowl LIX — if you sell out to take away Barkley (which is unlikely to succeed) then you’ll almost certain be burned by the likes of AJ Brown and Devonta Smith. And of course — Jalen Hurts.
Even with the departure of Kenneth Gainwell — the Eagles have once again assembled a complete running attack. This one even has design elements to keep Barkley’s touches down — while allowing for increased burst and effectiveness on the carries that he does have. AJ Dillon joins the running back room as a bruiser who can pickup tough yards. Will Shipley will followup on an impressive NFC Championship Game. The Eagles have also added rookies Montrell Johnson, Jr. from Florida and ShunDerrick Powell from Central Arkansas.
Saquon Barkley now enters a new chapter in his storied NFL career. He must preserve his body in his eighth NFL season — for those moments when he unparalleled athleticism can deliver the knockout blow and salt away games for the Eagles. With a re-loaded backfield and a dynamic passing attack — he doesn’t have to take on the workload that he has previously.
Just don’t tell him that.
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