Saquon Barkley admits the ‘scary thing’ about his and Eagles’ run game struggles

The Philadelphia Eagles’ offense feels like a scene from a classic Philly-set thriller. You know something is just... off. The setting is familiar, the characters are the same, but the plot has taken a bizarre turn. It’s the cinematic equivalent of the chilling moment inThe Sixth Sense—you’ve been watching a winning team, but you suddenly realize a core part of their identity has been struggling all along. The signs were there, but the full picture is only now coming into focus.

Barkley admitted the unsettling truth. “I think that's the scary thing,” he said on the SPORTSRADIO 94WIP morning show. “That we haven't really got the run game going at the level we would like, and we're 6-2 [actually 5-2 though].” The reigning Offensive Player of the Year is baffled by his own slowdown. If the Eagles are 5-2 with that run game, then questions do arise about an eventual downfall that's always on the cards. Now, Barkley insists he feels great physically.

"I feel like I'm in a great spot. I try to be optimistic... we have so much more room to improve in so many areas, and especially in our run game. But the thing that I love the most is the one-two from the guys up front, the pride that they take into it; you know, sometimes it seems like they even have a little more pride in it than me," Barkley added. Hence, the mystery only deepens for the Eagles and their fans.

Barkley’s numbers are stark. He managed just 44 yards on 18 carries against the Vikings. His season average has plummeted to 3.3 yards per carry. He is on pace for a mere 896 rushing yards. This is a brutal comedown from his record-shattering 2,005-yard campaign in 2024. The contrast is as dramatic as a summer day in Philly turning to winter. But Barkley isn't searching for excuses.

He did point the finger squarely at himself after the Vikings game. “I’m not getting the job done,” he stated. “I own the running game. That’s my responsibility. I was brought here to make plays in the run game and I’m not making plays.” This level of accountability, while admirable, overlooks the complex realities facing the Eagles' ground attack.

A Puzzle the Eagles Must Solve

The offensive line, a point of pride, is not creating lanes. Injuries have shuffled the lineup. Furthermore, defenses are deploying loaded boxes designed specifically to stop Barkley. It’s a game of chess, and opposing coordinators are currently a move ahead. The Eagles tried a new gambit against Minnesota, using more snaps from under center. However, this yielded only 22 yards for Barkley on 12 such carries.

The silver lining is that this commitment to the run, however inefficient, opened up the passing game. Jalen Hurts capitalized with a perfect passer rating, connecting on deep play-action shots. Offensive tackle Jordan Mailata even noted it “kind of reminded me of the Super Bowl.” So sometimes, the threat of the run is as valuable as the run itself.

Teammates were quick to deflect Barkley’s self-criticism. “Saquon is the best,” quarterback Jalen Hurts asserted. “I don't want him to feel like he's carrying that by himself. It is a group effort.” The entire offense must find the solution together. They must rediscover that different mindset Barkley referenced from their championship season.

Now, the Eagles are winning despite this glaring weakness. Barkley’s humility and team-first focus are assets. He concluded, “We can't bet. But I'd put my money on those guys up front every single week, and I'm going [to] continue to trust it. And I know we're going to figure it out, and when we do, team's going to be scared.” For now, the passing game is Eagles' life raft. But unlocking Barkley is the key to reaching their full, terrifying potential. And Barkley is determined to get up and break away.