There's a certain standard when it comes to running the football with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Under Nick Sirianni's tenure as the Eagles' head coach, Philadelphia has consistently been one of the best rushing teams in the NFL. The rankings show that they have been the example every NFL team should follow for getting the rushing attack going on offense, rather than buying into the new era of passing the football.
Year (Nick Sirianni Era Prior to 2025) | Average Rushing Yards Per Game | NFL Ranking |
|---|---|---|
2021 | 159.7 | 1st |
2022 | 147.6 | 5th |
2023 | 128.8 | 8th |
2024 | 179.3 | 2nd |
Last season really changed the game when Saquon Barkley signed with the Eagles. Barkley transformed the rushing attack as he became the first player in franchise history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season and helped them win the Super Bowl, along with taking home the Offensive Player of the Year award.
How's it been going in 2025? Pretty bad.
The Eagles' rushing attack is a shadow of its former self, currently ranked 16th in the NFL, averaging 113.5 yards per game. As for Barkley's numbers, he has the second most rushing attempts in the NFL with 77, but is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry; among running backs with more than 50 carries this season, only the Cincinnati Bengals' Chase Brown has fewer yards per carry than Barkley.
It's safe to say the Eagles are struggling to run the football consistently, despite having the best player in the NFL. Every fan has the same question: What is going on with the Eagles' rushing attack?
Kevin Patullo isn't as worried about the running game as some might think
After the Eagles' 31-25 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, starting left tackle Jordan Mailata addressed what is going on with the running game. While he believes play-calling could factor into it, Mailata was optimistic that they are close, saying that they are "one block away" from breaking loose.
On Tuesday, Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo spoke with the media, addressing the issues with the running game during the press conference. Patullo agreed with Mailata that they are close to breaking out a big run in one of these games.
"It's funny, other guys have said it, we've been so close on so many runs. I still think we're trying to feel our way out as who we are. Each game we've had so much history with those teams, they know our personnel, they know what we've done in the past. We're still feeling it out, and we're so close.. When we've needed it, we've had it."
Some have pointed out issues with durability on the offensive line. Left guard Landon Dickerson has struggled this season to the point that no one believes he's even 100% from his meniscus injury he suffered in training camp. Starting right tackle Lane Johnson has been knocked out in the middle of each of the last two games with his own injuries.
Read more: Kevin Patullo didn't deliver any clear explanation to Eagles' second half issues
It's easy to finger-point, but the Eagles have not done that when talking to the media, outside of a few subtle comments. Even if fans don't believe the passing game may ever get on track in 2025, the running game will eventually pick up. It always has.