Saquon Barkley has been a dynamic force for the Philadelphia Eagles this season, delivering highlight-reel plays and racking up big yardage.
Yet, when it comes to finishing drives at the goal line, the superstar running back often finds himself a step short, leaving the final punch to quarterback Jalen Hurts and the Eagles’ nearly unstoppable “Brotherly Shove.”
According to NFL Research, Barkley has been tackled at or inside the 2-yard line 11 times this season — the most in the league. For the Eagles, these plays have often set the stage for Hurts’ patented quarterback sneak, a play that has become synonymous with their offense’s success in short-yardage situations.
When asked on Monday whether he considers giving Barkley more opportunities to finish drives near the goal line, Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni acknowledged the temptation but underscored the practicality of sticking with what works.
“You always think about that,” Sirianni said. “But one thing we focus on in the red zone is avoiding negative plays. A quarterback sneak, it’s tough to lose yardage there. The worst thing you can do in red zone football is move backward because it makes everything more difficult. You want to stay ahead of the sticks, especially when the space gets tighter near the goal line.”
Sirianni’s approach isn’t without merit. On one of Barkley’s rare carries from the 1-yard line earlier this season, the star back was tackled for a loss — a reminder of the risks involved in deviating from the Eagles’ bread-and-butter play.
The Eagles’ success with the “Brotherly Shove” has been unparalleled, with Hurts converting an extraordinary percentage of his short-yardage attempts. Sirianni emphasized that the team’s decision-making in those moments comes down to what gives them the highest chance to score.
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“Jalen has scored a lot of touchdowns for us on sneaks,” Sirianni added. “That’s not to take away from what Saquon has done. He’s been phenomenal. But we’ve had a lot of success with the sneak, and it’s hard to argue with the results.”
Barkley’s numbers this season reflect his value to the Eagles’ offense. The veteran back ranks second in the NFL with 1,137 rushing yards and is sixth in touchdowns with eight scores. He’s averaging career highs in rushing yards per game (113.1), yards per carry (5.8), and scrimmage yards per game (134.7) — a testament to his explosive ability and consistency.
Sirianni credited Barkley for his contributions and professionalism, noting that the star running back hasn’t expressed frustration over ceding some goal-line opportunities.
“He’s getting us down there, and he’s playing at an incredibly high level,” Sirianni said. “He’s got eight touchdowns, and he’s been a great teammate. He understands the bigger picture, and that’s what makes him so valuable to this team.”
The potential for controversy over vultured touchdowns has been mitigated by Barkley’s contract structure. According to reports, none of Barkley’s incentives are tied to touchdown totals, a foresight that has likely kept any frustrations at bay.
Despite the statistical quirks of Barkley’s season, his impact on the Eagles’ offense is undeniable. His ability to rip off big runs and keep defenses on their heels has been a critical factor in the team’s success, and Sirianni made it clear he values Barkley’s all-around contributions.
As the Eagles continue their march through a dominant season, the balance between Barkley’s big-play ability and Hurts’ short-yardage efficiency is emblematic of their offensive versatility. And with both players operating at such a high level, it’s a formula few defenses have been able to solve.