Saquon Barkley has been a tale of two seasons in Philadelphia. A historic 2024 campaign followed by a disappointing 2025. As we look ahead to Year 3, here's our prediction for what the star running back will do in 2026.
The Story So Far
Let's recap Barkley's first two years as an Eagle:
| Season | Rushing Yards | TDs | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2,005 | 13 | Offensive Player of the Year |
| 2025 | 1,140 | 7 | Down year, offensive struggles |
The 2024 season was everything Eagles fans dreamed of when Howie Roseman signed Barkley away from the Giants. He was electric, explosive, and unstoppable. The 2025 season? Not so much.
What Went Wrong in 2025
Several factors contributed to Barkley's decline last season:
Offensive line injuries: The Eagles' dominant offensive line was decimated by injuries, giving Barkley fewer holes to run through.
Stacked boxes: With the passing game struggling, defenses loaded up to stop the run. Barkley faced eight-man boxes on nearly 40% of his carries.
Workload management: After carrying the ball 345 times in 2024, the wear and tear showed early in 2025.
Our 2026 Prediction: 1,575 Yards, 11 TDs
We're predicting a bounce-back season for Barkley, but not quite a return to his 2024 dominance. Here's why 1,575 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns feels right:
Improved offensive balance: The addition of Makai Lemon and a healthy receiving corps means defenses can't sell out to stop the run. Expect fewer stacked boxes and more one-on-one opportunities.
Fresh legs from depth: With Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, and Dameon Pierce behind him, Barkley won't need to carry the ball 350+ times. A more managed workload of 280-300 carries keeps him fresh for the stretch run.
Motivated Saquon: Great players respond to adversity. Barkley has been vocal about wanting to prove 2025 was an aberration. That chip on his shoulder will fuel a strong season.
Age factor: At 29, Barkley is entering the danger zone for running backs. While we expect a good season, the 2,000-yard days may be behind him.
The Bottom Line
Saquon Barkley will be a top-10 running back in 2026. Our prediction of 1,575 yards and 11 touchdowns would represent a significant bounce-back from 2025 while acknowledging that the historic 2024 campaign was likely a career peak.
If Barkley hits these numbers and the Eagles' offense clicks, Philadelphia will be right back in Super Bowl contention.
What's your prediction for Saquon in 2026? Let us know on social media!