Eagles roster outlook: Running back
The Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl season is over and the 2025 NFL offseason is officially here. We’re continuing our Eagles roster outlook series by examining the running back position. PREVIOUSLY: Quarterback.
THE PLAYERS
SAQUON BARKLEY
STATS: 801 snaps, 345 rushes, 2005 rushing yards, 5.8 average, 13 TD … 43 targets, 33 receptions, 278 receiving yards, 8.4 average, 2 TD … 2 fumbles
PLAYOFF STATS: 219 snaps, 91 rushes, 499 rushing yards, 5.5 average, 5 TD … 15 targets, 13 receptions, 75 receiving yards, 0 TD … 0 fumbles
REVIEW: 2024 was truly the season of Saquon Barkley. He was the NFL’s main character and he should have an MVP trophy that reflects as much. He’ll instead have to settle for Offensive Player of the Year. And now owning the NFL’s single-season rushing record with playoffs included. Barkley couldn’t have been more impressive as both as player and a leader in his first season with the Eagles. Without him, they do not make it to Super Bowl LIX and win it.
OUTLOOK: The Eagles riding Barkley as hard as they did was obviously worth it. But 482 total touches in one season is a lot! There are only nine instances when a player has logged more. It’s not unthinkable that Barkley could take a step back after such a major workload. But betting against him at this point seems foolish. The 28-year-old will probably have another awesome season in 2025. Note that Barkley is signed through 2026.
MY TAKE: Stay.
KENNY GAINWELL
STATS: 301 snaps, 75 rushes, 290 rushing yards, 3.9 average, 1 TD … 22 targets, 16 receptions, 116 receiving yards, 7.3 average, 0 TD … 0 fumbles
PLAYOFF STATS: 42 snaps, 13 rushes, 42 rushing yards, 3.2 average, 0 TD … 3 targets, 3 receptions, 26 yards, 8.7 average, 0 TD … 0 fumbles
REVIEW: Gainwell was much better suited for his 2024 role as RB2 behind a much superior RB1 than he was for his 2023 role as a rotational RB1. Gainwell helped to spell Barkley when the star needed a break in addition to contributing in some two-minute drill situations. Gainwell hardly lit up the stat sheet but he did the dirty work stuff, such as contributing on special teams.
OUTLOOK: Gainwell is set to be a free agent. Nick Sirianni REALLY loves him … so maybe he tries to convince the Eagles to keep Gainwell. But maybe there’s a team out there that’s willing to give Gainwell a bigger role than he currently has in Philly. If that’s the case, the Eagles could be outbid. The unfortunate reality of the Birds’ situation is that they can’t keep everyone and RB2 isn’t a spot they should be looking to spend limited resources on.
MY TAKE: Go.
WILL SHIPLEY
STATS: 65 snaps, 30 rushes, 82 rushing yards, 2.7 average, 0 TD … 4 targets, 4 receptions, 35 receiving yards, 8.8 average, 0 TD … 0 fumbles
PLAYOFF STATS: 10 snaps, 4 rushes, 77 rushing yards, 19.3 average, 1 TD … 0 targets … 0 fumbles
REVIEW: Shipley really only saw offensive snaps in garbage time as a rookie. He did play well on special teams, including when he forced a fumble for an Eagles recovery in the NFC Championship Game. He also ripped off a 57-yard run late in that game.
OUTLOOK: Shipley did enough to inspire confidence that he can take over Gainwell’s limited role as RB2.
MY TAKE: Stay.
TYRION DAVIS-PRICE
STATS: 5 snaps, 3 rushes, 7 rushing yards
REVIEW: TDP saw some limited action in Week 18 when the Eagles were resting their starters. He had previously shown some juice in training camp practices and preseason games.
OUTLOOK: If Gainwell isn’t retained, TDP could push for the RB3 job behind Barkley and Shipley.
MY TAKE: Stay.
KHARI BLASINGAME (Fullback)
STATS: 2 snaps
REVIEW: The Eagles signed Blasingame to their practice squad after linebacker/fullback Ben VanSumeren went down with a season-ending injury. He saw some occasional snaps as a lead blocking fullback but never touched the ball.
OUTLOOK: Blasingame finished the season on the practice squad. He wasn’t part of the group that the Eagles signed to their offseason roster. So, he’s currently a free agent and probably won’t be back; it’s not even clear if the Eagles will use a FB moving forward. But, hey, he does get a Super Bowl ring!
MY TAKE: Go.
NFL FREE AGENCY OR TRADES
If Gainwell leaves, the Eagles could look to add a cheap veteran to the RB2/RB3 competition.
Samaje Perine has been a “do the dirty work” type guy who previously had Eagles running backs/assistant head coach Jemal Singleton as his position coach on the Cincinnati Bengals from 2019-2020.
Nyheim Hines overlapped with Sirianni on the Indianapolis Colts from 2018-2020. The
Trey Sermon didn’t play well last season but maybe he’d welcome a return to Philly?
NFL DRAFT APPROACH
The Eagles might draft a running back on Day 3. Can’t see them doing it earlier than that. Could be a position they look to focus on in undrafted free agency.
