The Eagles had their first OTA practice on Wednesday and Saquon Barkley spoke to reporters afterward to talk about some of the new things they’re doing with the run game, and how he’ll have to adjust his game as a result. He also touched on the A.J. Brown situation and how he was able to move past last season’s disappointing end.
Barkley noted that one of the things that makes the Eagles so successful, is having a group of like-minded players who are all committed to getting better — guys like Jalen
Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and Jordan Davis — and he expects they’ll adjust to the many changes with focus and determination.
Here’s what the RB had to say:
On Sean Mannion and new offense
“I’m excited to work with [Sean Mannion], I think he’s been doing a really good job. He’s super smart, he works really hard, not only him but all the offensive staff, especially new guys. Right now we’re just working on building the foundation, and it’s been fun so far.”
As for how the running game might change this season, Barkley said it’s too early to get into X’s and O’s, but noted that there will be different things than they’ve done previously this season.
“I think it’s a great plan that he’s putting together, and now it’s just taking it step-by-step, coming to work every single day, and improving on it.”
If the offense does require Jalen Hurts to be under center more often, Barkley explained that he can see things a little more clearly and isn’t blinded quite as much as when they’re in shotgun formation. As a runner, under center also allows him to get his shoulders square earlier so he can see the whole field — rather than having to rotate his body to do so out of gun. He explained that it also allows runners to get down-hill a little quicker, and threatens opponents with stretches down the field and more outside zone.
Barkley went on to talk about how being under center more will be something new for him, too, but he’s looking forward to the challenge. He quipped that he feels like a kid again learning a whole new system, and the specific footwork and details that comes along with it — specifically he pointed to outside backs typically only utilizing one cut, whereas after his ACL injury, Barkley tends to do two jump cuts when he’s inside.
Outside zone blocking also requires different mechanics and is taught differently, so that’s another aspect to consider. He’s also been studying a lot of different RBs throughout the league, but said he’s also been watching a lot of Todd Gurley lately.
On addressing the A.J. Brown situation
“I don’t think we really addressed it. It’s football. It’s the National Football League. I think it’s going to be a hard time for me to say anything bad about A.J. Brown. I’m a big fan of A.J. Brown — one of my really good friends, one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever been around, just respect him as a man.
But, this is a business, it’s the NFL. If I’m not here, if Jalen [Hurts is] not here, if whoever’s not here, the show goes on, and that’s how the NFL operates, so you don’t really address it. It’s not really anything to be addressed. You just go about your work, and keep getting better, and whatever happens is above my pay grade, and I’m just focused on being the best player that I can be, and just being the best leader I can be going into this season.“
On last season’s ending
One benefit of not going to the Super Bowl was that Barkley had a little more time to prepare physically and mentally this offseason, and he feels better this year coming into OTAs.
Barkley said that he turned the page pretty quickly after how last season ended, taking two to three weeks to go through a breakup phase and then move on. He admitted, however, that he doesn’t feel like he played well enough for his teammates, and that the film was harder to watch this offseason. Still, it motivated him to come back and go “balls to the wall” and lock in even more.
When asked specifically what he wanted to work on after reviewing last season’s performance, Barkley said one thing that caught is attention was that some years he’ll have more playmaking ability than others, and some years he’ll feel stronger than others. So, he wants to focus on being a better playmaker for the team in 2026, acknowledging that’s why he was brought to Philly.
