The moment Saquon Barkley stepped on the field for the Philadelphia Eagles, his impact was incredible, but after a down 2025 season, things might be taking a turn for the worse.
Barkley started his Eagles career in 2024 with 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns, helping the team win the Super Bowl. Last year, though, was a much different story, with Barkley finishing with just 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns.
Entering 2026, things are in an uneasy spot, according to Sports Illustrated Eagles reporter Jeff Kerr. Looking at Barkley's contract, he is guaranteed $16.75 million in 2026, and next year that number drops to $2.5 million. Kerr added that Barkley has a $14.405 million option bonus in 2027, and designating him as a post-June 1 cut next saves the team $5 million, leaving the door open for the unthinkable.
"If the Eagles pick up the option, they are paying a lot of money for a 30-year-old running back. Barkley wasn't elite last season, and it may not matter if he's elite this season. The contract extension the Eagles gave him last offseason did Barkley no favors, but maybe he and the Eagles both knew that. This has been a good ride, but it may be coming to an end."
Saquon Barkley might be in danger of not being in an Eagles uniform in 2027
This is a sad reality that isn't as crazy as Eagles fans think. Barkley has not been as good as he was in 2024, with much of the blame on the offensive line play due to injuries. Even so, Barkley didn't have the vision to find the open holes as he did two years ago.
Philly has a solid backup plan for Barkley in case things don't work out after the 2026 season in Tank Bigsby. Behind that same struggling offensive line, Bigsby averaged 5.9 yards per carry, so the Eagles have the option to roll with him as a starter if he can maintain last year's momentum.
It would also leave the door open for the Eagles to use the draft to find and develop a young running back. In the last two decades, this franchise has done a good job drafting running backs, including LeSean McCoy and Miles Sanders.
There are a lot of tough financial decisions coming up too, with guys like Jalen Carter, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean needing expensive contract extensions. Those guys are arguably more important to the franchise's future than Barkley, who will be 30 when the 2027 season begins.
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No Eagles fan wants to go down that road yet, but it has to be a topic of conversation. Kerr just said the quiet part out loud, but that won't be so silent if Barkley is barely averaging over four yards per carry again.
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