Sports IllustratedAug 20, 20262 min read

How Saquon Barkley Is Preparing For A Season Closer To 2024 Than Last Year

Key takeaways

Saquon Barkley is an Eagles running back who previously joined NFL history as the ninth player to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season, which frames expectations for a strong 2026 campaign. He described the current training phase as about grinding, staying focused on small details, and improving one day at a time, rather than chasing immediate perfection.
During the second day of joint practices with the New England Patriots, a momentary on-field altercation between players disrupted the run game’s momentum, with right tackle Lane Johnson noting the disruption affected focus and flow, while Jordan Mailata described the incident as 'pushing and shoving' that killed momentum.
Even as tensions rose, Barkley and Will Shipley showed moments of effectiveness, and teammates signaled that the offense should feature more running back involvement this year, including Barkley operating as a receiver and in the screen game, echoing Lane Johnson’s optimism about a return to Barkley’s two-years-ago form.
Teammates projected a rebound in Barkley’s production, with Johnson specifically anticipating big plays and versatile usage reminiscent of Barkley’s earlier peak, suggesting an emphasis on speed, alignment, and space creation rather than simply power runs.
The narrative frames the season as a potential return to the type of dynamic, multi-faceted backfield play that leveraged Barkley’s all-around skill set, while the team works through practice-friction to maintain focus on assignments and execution within their scheme.

Saquon Barkley, entering a 2026 Eagles season, emphasizes daily grind and a process-driven approach after a standout 2,000-yard performance two years earlier. He is cautious about the intensity of joint practices but remains focused on refining small details to maximize production, signaling a return toward the explosive versatility he previously displayed. Team drills have featured friction on the field, briefly stalling the run game, yet coaches and teammates anticipate Barkley delivering big-play impact and additional involvement in screens and motion. The overall trajectory suggests the offense will lean on Barkley to near 2,000 rushing yards again, with Will Shipley contributing as a complementary factor. The outlook centers on sustained daily improvement and a more potent running attack this season.

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Summary generated with AI from the original article by Sports Illustrated.

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Key takeaways

Saquon Barkley is an Eagles running back who previously joined NFL history as the ninth player to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a season, which frames expectations for a strong 2026 campaign. He described the current training phase as about grinding, staying focused on small details, and improving one day at a time, rather than chasing immediate perfection.

During the second day of joint practices with the New England Patriots, a momentary on-field altercation between players disrupted the run game’s momentum, with right tackle Lane Johnson noting the disruption affected focus and flow, while Jordan Mailata described the incident as 'pushing and shoving' that killed momentum.

Even as tensions rose, Barkley and Will Shipley showed moments of effectiveness, and teammates signaled that the offense should feature more running back involvement this year, including Barkley operating as a receiver and in the screen game, echoing Lane Johnson’s optimism about a return to Barkley’s two-years-ago form.

Teammates projected a rebound in Barkley’s production, with Johnson specifically anticipating big plays and versatile usage reminiscent of Barkley’s earlier peak, suggesting an emphasis on speed, alignment, and space creation rather than simply power runs.

The narrative frames the season as a potential return to the type of dynamic, multi-faceted backfield play that leveraged Barkley’s all-around skill set, while the team works through practice-friction to maintain focus on assignments and execution within their scheme.