The Philadelphia Eagles had a 14-3 record for the 2024 NFL season and also won another Super Bowl title along the way. One of the reasons why Philadelphia was so successful last season was because of how healthy running back Saquon Barkley was.
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Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) talks with quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) before action against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
With that being said, will the Eagles get a healthy Barkley for two consecutive seasons? That is going to be one of the biggest questions for Philadelphia once the 2025 NFL season begins. If he were to get injured, the offensive dynamic would completely change and they don’t have much depth in the backfield.
Philadelphia Eagles Running Back Saquon Barkley Potential X-Factor As 2025 NFL Season
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Aug 7, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) before a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Eagles are looking to go back-to-back in 2025 and there are a lot of things that will have to go right for them in order for it to happen. Barkley will need to stay healthy and have another big season if Philadelphia wants to win another Lombardi Trophy.
Tim McManus of espn.com believes that the Eagles star running back will be the team’s x-factor as the 2025 NFL season approaches. McManus said,
“What can Barkley do for an encore? The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year became the ninth player to rush for 2,000-plus yards during the regular season, fueling Philadelphia’s Super Bowl charge. None of the previous eight players to reach 2,000 yards was able to accomplish the feat the following season — all finished with 1,500 yards or less the next year. The Eagles can’t afford too sharp of a drop-off. “It’s so hard to do it twice,” Barkley said, “because it’s hard to do it the first time.””
During the 2024 season with Philadelphia, he rushed for 2,005 yards on 345 carries and 13 touchdowns, along with averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Barkley also caught 33 passes for 278 yards receiving and two touchdowns, along with averaging 8.4 yards per reception. When Barkley is on the field, it also helps out Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, especially when it comes to the tush push formation.
With that being said, Philadelphia may not be the same team offensively if he is injured or if opposing defenses figure out a way to slow him down in 2025. Rushing for 1,500 yards in 2025 will still be an effective season for Barkley. What the Eagles can’t have is him missing games and the offense doesn’t feel the same.
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