Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley expressed optimism about the team’s upcoming 2026 season, crediting the arrival of new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion for a renewed sense of hope. Barkley, who had a decline in performance during the 2025 season, told NFL Network that Mannion’s offensive scheme feels unlike anything he has experienced before, making him eager for next year’s opportunities.
Unique Offensive System Brings Fresh Energy
Discussing his nearly nine-year NFL career, Barkley highlighted the novelty of Mannion’s approach. He said,
“I’m going on Year 9, which is crazy to say, and I’ve had a lot of different coaches and head coaches and been a part of a lot of systems. I don’t think I really came across a system like this. For me, it’s refreshing. You get something new. You get to learn something new.”
This perspective underlines Barkley’s readiness to adapt to fresh strategies after years of varied coaching.
Sean Mannion’s Coaching Background and Offensive Style
Sean Mannion comes to Philadelphia after serving as the quarterbacks coach for the Green Bay Packers. Although Mannion never worked directly under Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay, he is connected to McVay’s coaching philosophy through his time with Matt LaFleur, a disciple of McVay. This connection suggests Mannion will likely implement a zone running scheme, similar to the offensive structures where backs like Josh Jacobs and Christian McCaffrey have flourished in recent seasons.
Barkley’s Past Success and Recent Struggles
Barkley previously excelled in the Eagles offense, rushing for 2,005 yards at 5.8 yards per carry in 2024, a season in which he earned Offensive Player of the Year honors and helped lead the team to a Super Bowl victory. However, his production dipped in 2025, finishing with 1,140 rushing yards but a reduced 4.1 yards per carry average. This decline was a broader trend among Philadelphia’s offensive leaders that year.
Decline in Performance Among Eagles’ Key Offense Players in 2025
Besides Barkley, other pivotal Eagles players also experienced drops in efficiency. Quarterback Jalen Hurts increased his total passing yards from 2,903 in 2024 to 3,224 in 2025 but saw his yards per attempt fall from 8 to 7.1. Wide receiver A.J. Brown’s average receiving yards per game dropped from 83.9 to 66.9, while DeVonta Smith went from 64.1 to 59.3 yards per game. These decreases contributed to the Eagles ranking 24th in total offense and 19th in scoring by the end of the season.
Impact on Eagles’ Season Outcome and Coaching Changes
The decline in the offense’s overall performance played a significant role in the Eagles’ inability to defend their Super Bowl title, as they were eliminated in the wild-card round by the San Francisco 49ers. Following this loss, Philadelphia decided to part ways with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, clearing the way for Sean Mannion’s new system to take hold in 2026.
