In Year 2 — Will Shipley Will Look to Keep the Eagles Offense Rolling.
Most NFL rookies don’t get the opportunity to make an impact in the NFC Championship Game. But as we found out this year — then again the Eagles don’t have just any rookies. While Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell were locking down Washington receivers and frustrating Jayden Daniels in the second half of the 2025 NFC Championship Game in South Philly — another Eagles rookie was making his presence felt.
Rookie running back Will Shipley — after forcing a fumble and helped to provide the Eagles with excellent field position on Special Teams — broke free for a 57-yard run in the fourth quarter. When he was tackled on the six yard line — there was little question who would punch the ball in for paydirt two plays later.
You wouldn’t think that being a running back behind Saquon Barkley would afford much opportunity for any other back on the roster. Last week — running back Tyrion Davis-Price was cut as the Eagles now have A.J. Dillon and have claimed former Texas and Alabama’s Kalien Robinson. They have also add undrafted free agent running backs Montrell Johnson from Florida and ShunDerrick Powell from Central Florida. None of this is an impediment to the continued success that Shipley can and will enjoy in Eagles green.
Shipley is no stranger to being that game-changing running back that you cannot account for. At Weddington High School, he rushed for almost 4,200 yards as a defensive back and running back. In the passing attack, he added another 1,184 receiving yards and a combined 80 scores. On defense, he added 43 solo tackles and two sacks. On the varsity lacrosse team, he played 38 games and added another 49 goals.
When it came time for a son of North Carolina to go to college, Clemson made all the sense in the world. The Tigers had been NCAA Champions in 2016 and 2018, after all. In three seasons, Shipley would rush for nearly 2,800 yards and 31 touchdowns. He would add another 602 yards receiving.
Shipley’s athleticism and versatility in the backfield won’t just keep him on the roster for years to come. And as those years pass and Saquon Barkley ages — those talents may become even more of value. And of necessity.
The first person to celebrate with Shipley after that 2025 NFC Championship Game touchdown? Yep — that was Saquon Barkley.
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