This offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles let backup running back Kenneth Gainwell sign elsewhere after replacing him with A.J. Dillon. A move that might pay off in 2025.
Eagles fans already know how good running back Saquon Barkley is after breaking an NFL record of 2,504 rushing yards in the regular season and playoffs combined. He also added Offensive Player of the Year and Pro Bowl to his resume. It's a record season that will stand the test of time, but the organization needs a reliable backup.
Dillon suffered a neck injury that cost him the entire 2024 season with the Green Bay Packers. He comes into the season needing to battle with Will Shipley for the backup job.
With many believing Dillon will win the job, the pairing of him and Barkley could ultimately prove to be something special. A nightmare of sorts for defenses.
Where does the Barkley-Dillon duo rank against the rest of the NFL?
Bleacher Report writer Moe Moton ranked the 10 best running back duos in the NFL. Barkley and Dillon cracked the top five as they landed at four, with the two complementing each other well.
"Saquon Barkley won the rushing title and nearly broke Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record (2,105) last season.
Despite Barkley's heavy workload on the ground, he still caught 33 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns, and 12 of his receptions moved the chains for first downs.
This offseason, the Philadelphia Eagles signed a proven complementary running back in A.J. Dillon. His 6'0", 247-pound frame allows him to move human piles in short-yardage situations or mow over defenders after the catch.
As primarily a backup running back with the Green Bay Packers between 2020 and 2023, Dillon made plays in the short passing game, hauling in 86 passes for 763 yards and two touchdowns. Though he sat out the 2024 campaign with a neck injury, his skill set should allow him to get the nod over Will Shipley for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
Assuming Dillon is back to 100 percent, he will be one of the league's most productive No. 2 running backs. His pass-catching ability will allow him to see the field on third downs."
Barkley's play is already well-known, but for Eagles fans unfamiliar with Dillon's game, he presents a challenge to bring down. The downhill back had success from 2021 through 2023, with three consecutive seasons with at least 600 yards, and scored 14 touchdowns in that span. The Packers selected him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, as he rushed for 242 yards and two touchdowns for Green Bay.
Dillon fits perfectly as a short-yardage running back who can get the tough two to three yards. All indications at OTAs were that Barkley, Shipley, and he would be heavily involved in the passing game, so it could be another tool in the toolbox that Dillon can use.
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The combined efforts of Barkley and Dillon will be fun to watch, as the hope is that Dillon returns to 2023 form, so Barkley doesn't have to run the ball as much. While the Eagles want Barkley to touch the ball 25-30 times a game, they do need to protect him from taking too many hits and getting hurt.
Philadelphia's backfield is loaded with Barkley, Dillon, and Shipley, which will make the 2025 season fun. When those guys are on the field, good things will happen.,