In a season where Saquon Barkley was relentless, both as the Eagles’ offensive force and in securing a Super Bowl victory, the 2024 offseason brought a shift in his preparation mindset.
As the reigning offensive player of the year, Barkley logged 482 touches in a grueling campaign. The wear and tear of nearly as many encounters with defensive players led him to rethink his offseason strategy for 2025. Under wise counsel, Barkley took steps to ensure longevity and peak performance.
Barkley absorbed insights from head coach Nick Sirianni, running backs coach Jemal Singleton, and legends like Marshall Faulk and Edgerrin James. Their unanimous advice? Take a step back. “It wasn’t hard because everyone I trust told me basically to sit my ass down for a little bit,” Barkley shared, as reported by Tim McManus of ESPN.com. “You’ve just got to be smarter, right?”
He acknowledged the need for balance between rest and conditioning. “You have your moments where you go in there and you grind, you push it,” but most of the time was dedicated to mobility and conditioning, essential to shaping his body for high-level performance. This recalibrated workload, he notes, has his body feeling optimal.
As Barkley embarks on his eighth NFL season, he believes he’s “entering my prime,” defying the typical decline seen in backs of similar tenure. His recent, unparalleled season offers ample reasons to expect continued success, especially with a robust line in front of him and an offense rich with additional talents.
