Since LeSean McCoy did it in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014. It took the Eagles 8 years to have another 1,000 yard running back. And they did it with 2 different backs in back-to-back seasons.
Once they got that 1,000 yard season from Miles Sanders, he was on his way to Carolina with a $25.4M/4-year contract. And after Sanders’ departure, the Eagles were able to hit a home run in trading for D’Andre Swift, who put up 1,049 rushing yards in his single season with the Eagles, before signing a $24.5/3-year deal in Chicago.
The Eagles have seen both of their last rushers leave the year after setting careers highs. Now the 7th(Swift) and 12th(Sanders) highest paid running backs in the league. The Eagles decided to go a different route.
New Face In The Backfield
Back in March, the Eagles signed their new RB1 to a massive $37.5M/3-year deal.
BACK IN PA! Welcome to the City of Brotherly Love, @saquon.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/mB1f7flTgG
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 13, 2024
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The Eagles made a move for a running back that rivals the 49ers acquisition (and now extension) of Christian McCaffrey.
Now, the 6-year Giant makes his way to Philly, as the 4th highest paid running back. Soon to play behind what was the #1 ranked Offensive Line in 2023 (per PFF). While the question still remains of how well the Eagles offensive line may be in 2024 without Jason Kelce at Center. Even ProFootballNetwork had the Eagles still at the top spot in their offensive line rankings back in April.
Giants Offensive Line Woes
While PFN had the Giants listed at 23rd following the 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft, PFF had them ranked dead last at 32nd following the 2023 season, and had them ranked 29th this time last year.
Even with some of the worst ranked OL’s in the league, that hasn’t stopped Saquon Barkley from putting up the following rushing stats
2023 – 962 yards in 14 games
2022 – 1,312 yards in 16 games
2021 – 593 yards in 13 games
With these rushing numbers, Saquon was also putting up plenty of receiving yards, even with the following QBs behind those previously mentioned bottom of the league OL’s
2023 – 280 Rec yards – Tommy DeVito(6) / Tyrod Taylor(5) / Daniel Jones(6)
2022 – 338 Rec yards – Daniel Jones(16) / Davis Webb(1)
2021 – 263 Rec yards – Daniel Jones(11) / Mike Glennon(4) / Jake Fromm(2)
Saquon’s Future
On a new team that already has some of the best talent in the league, Saquon will have plenty of opportunity over the next three season with the Eagles. Finally providing Jalen Hurts a reliable receiving back under a new offensive coordinator with Kellen Moore will give the Eagles another player capable of ending up with an Offensive Player of the Year award.
With training camp and pre-season just a few weeks away, how many yards do you think Saquon will put up in his first year with the Eagles?
Photo Credit: Monica Herndon / Philadelphia Inquirer
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