Perfect Fit?

INDIANAPOLIS — The cracks in the offensive foundation last season for the Eagles were first revealed via the ground game, throwing a wrench into a formula that months earlier fueled a Super Bowl season.

It began promising. Saquon Barkley, the Eagles’ returning 2,000-yard rusher, appeared spry last summer, on the heels of a 482-touch season.  Last offseason, you might recall, Barkley spoke about his newfound receptiveness to advice from those close to him, who conveyed the value of rest.

It proved to be a stark contrast compared to his typical offseasons, when his competitiveness had compelled him to keep pace with the likes of Christian McCaffrey or Derrick Henry at the first sight of a clip of their training clips.

The offensive line, which performed at a historic level the previous season, dodged a scare when left guard Landon Dickerson suffered a meniscus injury during an August practice and returned in time for the opener, completing the Eagles’ starting offensive line configuration.

The health up front, however, was short-lived. Dickerson battled through a litany of injuries throughout the season. Cam Jurgens, the team’s fourth-year center, was mending from offseason back surgery that inhibited his ability to play to his previous standard, while All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson navigated an early season stinger and a Lisfranc sprain that deprived him of the final eight games and postseason contest.

The attrition in the trenches stunted the team’s effectiveness in the game, with Barkley hit behind the line of scrimmage at an alarming rate, often placing the offense behind the sticks. The truck-sized holes that had been paved for Barkley in 2024 became far less commonplace, and it appeared there were times the All-Pro running back would press, hastily surging ahead in search of the home run rather than accept the three- or four-yard gain.

For reference, Barkley, who still managed a 1,140-yard season, saw his yards per carry dip from 5.8 to 4.1. His yards per game plummeted from 125.3 to 71.3.

GETTY IMAGES: Will Eagles star RB Saquon Barkley be the right fit in the team’s new offensive scheme?

Barkley, to his credit, consistently shouldered ownership, though it was apparent much of the ineffectiveness stemmed from the suboptimal health of the team’s largely unsung equalizers. Head coach Nick Sirianni, speaking in Indianapolis, observed what was evident: Barkley didn’t suddenly lose a step overnight.

“I think we saw the athletic ability, the vision – everything – with Saquon that we saw when we were watching him with the Giants, or what we saw in 2024,” Sirianni said. “And so, as a whole, we didn’t reach our ultimate goal of being able to be the top of the mountain; only one team was able to do that this year.

“And so, we all have this thing that we wanna get back and prove ourselves again. That’s what you have to do in this league. you don’t win, you get back up, and you try to prove yourself again. And I think that’s everybody’s mindset on this team.”

Throughout Sirianni’s tenure, the offense has been predicated on a suffocating rushing attack, allowing the line to impose its will in bully-ball fashion while controlling the clock. It also led to explosives in what’s been a low-volume passing attack.

The winds of change this offseason usher in what’s expected to be a new look offense under first-year coordinator Sean Mannion, and reviving the running game appears to be at the forefront. What was once an inside zone-dominant scheme, which seemingly favors Barkley’s style, will offer more diversity in 2026, with a presumed implementation of outside zone and stretch concepts akin to some of the hallmarks of offenses helmed by Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay.

Among the looming questions atop the list, as it pertains to the overall viability of the modernized offense, will be how Barkley will adapt to the changes in design.

As far as Sirianni’s concerned, though, generational talents like Barkley are equipped to thrive under any circumstances.

“My experience with great football players is, you come in and you’re like, ‘Hey Saquon, we’re gonna run inside zone,’ he’s gonna be really good at it. ‘Hey, we’re gonna run gap schemes,’ he’s gonna be really good at it. ‘He, we’re gonna run wide zone,’ he’s gonna be really good at it. ‘Hey, we’re gonna run option,’ he’s gonna be really good at it. ‘Hey, we’re gonna split out wide…’ He’s just a great football player.

“And so, guys who are great football players can fit into a lot of great offenses. And Saquon, regardless of the scheme — I think you saw that in some of the things that we’ve done – he’s been highly productive in many of the schemes, whether it’s gap schemes, whether it’s inside zones, whether it’s pin and pulls, whether it’s toss cracks … every one of these things I’m picturing him breaking a big run off of that. And so, that’s a common theme with good football players; they can fit into a lot of different schemes. So, I believe he’ll be exceptional at that.”

But the changes to come extend far beyond scheme. Presiding over the run game this season will be Ryan Mahaffey, who comes over from Green Bay with Mannion. And most notably, the offensive line will be overseen by a new position coach for the first time in 13 seasons in Chris Kuper, who replaces iconic assistant Jeff Stoutland.

While little is known about Kuper’s impact, Sirianni was confident in his selection that will be tasked with guiding the group front to its former glory.

“You’re able to go through and talk to all these different guys and figure out who’s best for you,” he said. “And I think, as we talked to guys, we were really impressed with Chris and the things that he’s done as a player, as a coach and his knowledge on the game. His knowledge on a system that we’re – some of the things we’re gonna do from that system, because there’s a lot of intricacies within that.

“And so, just excited with everything that he’ll bring. It’s always import ant for or position coaches to help guys develop fundamentally. That’s always something I’m looking for with position coaches – can this guy help our guys get better fundamentally? Can this guy add to our scheme? Can this guy hold people accountable? Can this guy fit in and be a good team player within the staff? Because it’s so important that they work together as a staff. And I think the answer, whenever we bring somebody in, we believe that with that group of guys that we’ve brought in. And Chris is no different.”

— Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is the Eagles reporter for InsideTheBirds.com