Intriguing questions surrounding the Eagles running back committee
By Ryan Loftus
What does the future hold for the Philadelphia Eagles’ running game?
The NFL is an ever-changing and unpredictable animal, and it can be impossible to create expectations from one year to the next, to accurately predict the career path of players, or guarantee a team’s success. We may be able to make some educated guesses about the Eagles’ running back room past training camp.
Looking towards September, the Eagles running back committee will more than likely feature Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott on the 53-man roster. Jason Huntley and Kennedy Brooks are potentially in competition for what might be one more spot on the team.
As mentioned, the Eagles have shown, by their rumored interest in the aforementioned JaQuan Hardy, that they could look to add a workhorse runner to play the role of power back role (if they don’t see Kennedy Brooks as that guy).
Jordan Howard has performed that role for the Eagles in the past, but with his running style, he has had difficulty completing a full season. If the Birds decided that they wanted to ignore him and go in a different direction, they could look to other free agents like former Los Angeles Charger Justin Jackson, or former Pittsburgh Steeler Kalen Ballage. Then again, they could decide that they feel comfortable rolling with Brooks.
Looking past 2022, again, Kenneth Gainwell is the only running back that is under contract. Miles Sanders’ potential extension seems to be resting on his performance this year. Then again, the Eagles could have already determined that this is his swan song.
Boston Scott will likely get a smaller contact (another one-year deal) with the Birds if he chooses to re-sign next offseason. If Jason Huntley or Kennedy Brooks make the roster, they are both under contract for multiple years (Huntley until the end of the 2023 season, Brooks until the end of the 2024 season).
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Philadelphia could let Sanders walk in free agency. If so, they will likely be looking to sign an established running back to support Gainwell. Marlon Mack, Ronald Jones II, and Mark Ingram could be interesting fits in the Eagles’ system. Mack played for Nick Sirianni in Indianapolis, making him an intriguing option, but again, we have a long way to go before we begin having those conversations.