Eagles Could Cut Newcomer Before He Plays a Regular Season Snap

Saquon Barkley is the focal point of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ offense, and the workhorse at the top of the depth chart at running back, but when the 2025 season kicks off, head coach Nick Sirianni and staff may need to be smarter about his workload.

Coming off a career-high 345 regular season carries, and three postseason games, managing Barkley’s carries and availability for Philadelphia’s most important games in December and January could be a paramount task for the coaching staff.

Signing A.J. Dillon and dropping him into a backfield alongside Barkley, Will Shipley, and Avery Williams was likely a decision made with preserving Barkley in mind.

However, with training camp set to open, NBC Sports Philadelphia analyst Dave Zangaro suggests Dillon could be entering the summer sitting on the roster bubble.

“The veteran running back joined the Eagles on a one-year deal this offseason,” Zangaro points out for NBCS Philadelphia. “After missing the entire 2024 season with a neck injury. While Dillon said he’s healthy and practiced this spring, we’ll have to see what he can do in training camp. In his first four seasons, Dillon was productive for the Packers with over 2,400 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. He also has the ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. He could be a solid backup behind Saquon Barkley (and maybe Will Shipley) if his health isn’t a concern.”

Proving that he’s fully healthy would be a big first step towards Dillon both securing a roster spot and working his way towards earning meaningful carries in the Eagles’ backfield rotation.

The 27-year-old Dillon boasts a career-4.1 yards per carry average and has scored 16 touchdowns through his first four seasons in a Packers uniform.

Just what kind of role Dillon is able to carve out for himself this summer may also hinge on Shipley making strides in his second season. If the former Clemson standout makes a big leap during camp and the preseason, it isn’t difficult to envision him emerging as Barkley’s top understudy when the games begin to count come September.

NFL Executives Bullish on Barkley’s Second Season in Philadelphia

Even if Barkley’s workload is reduced, the 28-year-old likely enters this season motivated to break Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record before the final week of the season, after being benched for Week 18 back in January, and sights set on a second Lombardi Trophy.

Those inside the league are bullish when it comes to Barkley’s encore.

In ESPN NFL Insider Jeremy Fowler’s annual survey of league executives, coaches, and scouts, Barkley emerged as the No. 1 running back in the sport, entering 2025.

“It was almost like this was expected — he was always expected to be this,” an NFL personnel director told ESPN, of Barkley. “You can call it confirmation bias. Everybody thought he was a great player [at Penn State] and he proved what people thought he would be. It just took some peaks and valleys. And he was in a bad offense [in New York].”

Barkley aims to build on, or at least replicate, a 2024 campaign that offered historic production as he scored a record seven touchdowns of 60 yards or more while rushing for a career-high 2,005 yards.

The combination of Barkley’s unique traits, the Eagles’ elite offensive line, and a second season of familiarity with quarterback Jalen Hurts could set the stage for Barkley to be just as impactful, if not as prolific in 2025 as he was in 2024.

Eagles Urged to Make One Big Trade Before 2025 Season Kicks Off

Roseman and the Eagles aren’t strangers to 11th hour additions before the regular season kicks off.

Just last summer, the Eagles added former first-round draft choice, wide receiver Jahan Dotson via a trade with the division rival Washington Commanders. As training camp nears, Roseman and Philadelphia could look to make a big move on defense.

Over at Bleacher Report, NFL analyst Matt Holder put together a list of the one trade each team should make before the season, including the Eagles acquiring a cornerback after losing Darius Slay this offseason.

“While Adoree’ Jackson was added in free agency to add experience to the position group,” Holder writes for B/R. “He has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and isn’t more than an average player.