The Philadelphia Eagles are, for the most part, throwing out the old playbook from 2025 as new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is bringing change to a unit that desperately needs it.
While the word "blend" has been thrown around to show that some of the old and new will be mixed in, it's clear the Eagles are trying to get with the modern age offense, with them running more West Coast-style than Sean McVay, Kyle Shanahan, and Matt LaFleur are currently doing. Eagles running back Saquon Barkley expressed his excitement for Mannion's offense and is looking forward to one thing about it: more plays under center.
"You can see it more clear. You're not blinded (like) in 'gun. You're able to get your shoulders square easier," Barkley said via The Athletic's Zach Berman. "You can get downhill a little quicker. You can threaten them with stretches and outside zone a little more. There's a lot of things you can do. It's no secret what this system is about. Look forward to doing it. Probably the most I've ever done it."
Saquon Barkley likes the Eagles being under center more often
Philly is really going to benefit from being under center more often, as fans saw how good they were last season when doing that. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts proved to be more accurate with the football when lining up under center, and Philly had success with play action from it.
This is only going to benefit Barkley when he runs the ball, as he looks to improve upon his 4.1 yards per carry. Many of his big runs last year also came from being under center, as he had more time to find open holes and create the explosive plays the Eagles' offense lacked in 2025.
Everyone has been requesting the Eagles to do more under center, and it was a big argument last season, but former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo refused to do it more often than fans wanted. Patullo's lack of adjustments is a big reason Mannion is now running the offense.
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Philly's offense got better this offseason in that there are more playmakers, and the scheme is going to better fit what this team can do. Barkley has a chance at a bounce-back season because Mannion has what he needs to succeed.
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