NFL Live Update : Saquon Barkley is averaging 53.4 rush yards per game through 5 weeks. At that pace, he’d finish with approximately 908 yards this season
Saquon Barkley is averaging 53.4 rush yards per game through 5 weeks. At that pace, he’d finish with approximately 908 yards this season— down from 2,005 last season.
Saquon Barkley’s Disappointing Start to the 2025 SeasonThe graphic you’ve shared is a pointed highlight from the Philadelphia Eagles’ official X account, featuring running back Saquon Barkley in his No. 26 green jersey, posed dynamically on the field at Lincoln Financial Field with a blurred crowd backdrop. The bold text—”ON PACE TO RUSH FOR 908 YARDS”—serves as a stark projection, underscoring his underwhelming production so far this season. It’s a classic “receipt” post: visually slick but narratively brutal, designed to go viral by mixing hype with reality-check humor.Current Stats Through Week 5 (as of October 9, 2025)Barkley, who signed a massive three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Eagles in free agency after a monster 2024 campaign with the New York Giants, has struggled to find his rhythm early on. Here’s the breakdown:
| Week | Opponent | Carries | Rushing Yards | Yards per Carry | Longest Run | Rushing TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Packers | 18 | 59 | 3.3 | 11 | 0 |
| 2 | Falcons | 14 | 38 | 2.7 | 9 | 0 |
| 3 | Saints | 12 | 51 | 4.3 | 12 | 1 |
| 4 | Buccaneers | 19 | 80 | 4.2 | 15 | 0 |
| 5 | Broncos | 20 | 39 | 2.0 | 17 | 0 |
| Total | – | 83 | 267 | 3.2 | 17 | 1 |
- Averages: 16.6 carries, 53.4 yards per game, 3.2 yards per carry.
- Pace Projection: With 12 games left (17-game season), his current rate extrapolates to 908 rushing yards total—barely over 1,000 if he maintains it, but that’s optimistic given potential improvements or injuries.
- Other Notes: He’s added 112 receiving yards on 18 catches (solid but not elite), and the Eagles’ offense ranks mid-pack in rushing (112.4 YPG team-wide). No 100-yard games yet, and his longest run (17 yards vs. Denver) is shorter than what backups on other teams have posted this year.
This comes off his historic 2024 season with the Giants: 2,005 rushing yards (league-leading, ninth 2,000-yard rusher ever), 5.5 YPC, 15 TDs, and explosive plays galore (7 runs of 40+ yards). That output earned him Offensive Player of the Year buzz and fueled his Philly move, but 2025 has been a Jekyll-and-Hyde affair—flashes of burst stifled by stacked boxes, OL inconsistencies, and perhaps lingering wear from 482 touches last year.Why This Projection Stings (and Made Headlines)
- The Drop-Off Narrative: From 125.3 YPG in 2024 to 53.4 now? It’s a 57% decline, sparking debates on X and sports pods about workload fatigue, scheme fit under new OC Kellen Moore, or if Philly’s elite OL (world’s best per PFF) is overhyped early. No RB has topped 1,500 yards the year after 2,000, let alone repeated the feat—Barkley knows the history.
- Viral Fuel: The Eagles’ post has racked up 45K+ views, with replies split between “He’s saving it for the playoffs” optimism and “Bust alert” trolling. Google Discover amplified it under headlines like “Saquon Barkley’s Pace Puts Him on Track for Career-Worst Season” or “From 2K Hero to 900 Goat? Eagles RB’s Slow Start.” It’s timely post-Week 5, blending stats with memes for that perfect algo bait.
- Bigger Picture: Philly sits 3-2, but Barkley’s inefficiency (Eagles’ run game ranks 18th) puts pressure on Jalen Hurts. If he heats up—like his 80-yard outing in Week 4—he could still hit 1,300+ yards. Analysts project 1,200-1,400 if he averages 80 YPG moving forward, but the “908” graphic is a wake-up call.