Saquon Barkley is open to the Eagles giving Tank Bigsby more playing time. On January 14, 2026, Barkley expressed his willingness to share the workload with Bigsby.
What happened?
The Eagles had a relatively low usage rate for Bigsby in the 2025 season, with the running back carrying the ball only 58 times on 364 total runs by a running back.
Why it matters for Saquon Barkley
Barkley, who will turn 29 next month, has the NFL's second-most touches since his 2018 rookie season, behind only Derrick Henry. This heavy workload may lead to increased wear and tear on his body.
What comes next?
The new Eagles offensive coordinator in 2026 may look to get Bigsby more involved in the team's offense, potentially reducing Barkley's workload and preserving his health for the long term.
Barkley averaged 20.6 touches per game in his career, compared to Henry's 18.6 touches per game. On Monday, at his locker clean out, Barkley stated that he is all about winning football games and supports any decision that will help the team achieve success.
The Eagles finished the 2025 season with a 23-19 loss to the 49ers in the NFC Wild Card round. Barkley ran for 106 yards and logged 29 more touches in the game, while Bigsby ran four times and averaged almost 5 yards per carry.
Only 12 running backs in the entire league have a higher yards-per-carry average than Bigsby's 4.6 yards per carry. Bigsby's usage rate was comparable to that of Bills backup Ray Davis and Ravens backup Keaton Mitchell.
Barkley's willingness to share the workload with Bigsby demonstrates his commitment to the team's success and his understanding of the importance of preserving his own health for the long term.
The Eagles' new offensive coordinator will have to decide how to utilize Bigsby and Barkley in the 2026 season. With Barkley's heavy workload and Bigsby's impressive yards-per-carry average, the team may look to find a balance between the two running backs.
Barkley's resume speaks to his focus on winning football games, and he believes that utilizing Bigsby more will help the team achieve success. The Eagles will look to build on their 2025 season and make a deeper run in the playoffs in 2026.
The team's decision to acquire Bigsby after Week 1 of the 2025 season was likely made with the intention of giving him a more significant role in the offense. However, Bigsby's usage rate was lower than expected, and the team may look to increase his playing time in the 2026 season.
Barkley's health and workload will be a key factor in the team's decision-making process. With his heavy workload and injury history, the team may look to reduce his touches and give Bigsby more opportunities to contribute to the offense.