Saquon Barkley is embracing Eagles' shift to playing under-center

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley believes the offensive changes being installed under Sean Mannion could create a more natural fit for his running style as the organization continues reshaping its offensive identity entering the 2026 season. Speaking during organized team activities, Barkley addressed the expectation that Philadelphia will operate from under center more frequently this season while transitioning toward offensive concepts tied to the Sean McVay and Kyle Shanahan coaching trees.

"It's no secret what the system is about," Barkley said.

The veteran running back indicated this offense will likely feature more under-center work than any system he has operated in during his NFL career, a transition he views positively as the Eagles continue to implement new concepts throughout the offseason program.

Barkley also revealed he reached out to former Rams star Todd Gurley on Instagram to seek advice on the offense and the adjustments involved in running within that structure. Gurley became one of the NFL's most productive running backs during his peak seasons in Los Angeles under McVay, thriving in a scheme built heavily around under-center formations, wide-zone concepts, play-action, and rhythm-based timing.

“It’s no secret what the system is about.”

Saquon Barkley speaks to the assumed amount of plays the #Eagles offense will run under center and why he’s a fan of it. Says this is the most he will be a part of that type of offense. Barkley reached out to Todd Gurley on Instagram… pic.twitter.com/qFTBIb1uNF— Ashlyn Sullivan (@ashlynrsullivan) May 27, 2026

Philadelphia appears positioned to incorporate many of those same principles.

The Eagles are expected to feature increased motion, expanded play-action elements, and greater variation in personnel deployment under Mannion, whose background includes time with the Rams during the early stages of McVay's offensive system before later joining Matt LaFleur's staff in Green Bay. For Barkley, the transition could provide both schematic and technical benefits. The running back explained that operating from under center allows plays to develop more clearly while helping runners maintain better body positioning through the line of scrimmage.

"It's clearer," Barkley said. "It's easier to get your shoulders square."

The Eagles are counting on Barkley remaining one of the offense's central pieces after another productive season in 2025. Despite Philadelphia's uneven finish offensively, Barkley rushed for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns while becoming the first Eagles running back since LeSean McCoy to post consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons with the franchise.

Philadelphia's offensive line should continue helping drive that production.

The Eagles return one of the NFL's premier offensive fronts led by Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens and Lane Johnson, while the return of tight end Dallas Goedert preserves additional continuity in both the run and pass games. The organization's broader offensive focus this offseason has centered on evolution rather than complete reconstruction.

Philadelphia still finished among the league's better offenses in several major categories last season, including leading the NFL with a franchise-record 70.5% red-zone touchdown efficiency. The Eagles, however, identified opportunities to create more balance, unpredictability, and efficiency after their season ended earlier than expected in the playoffs.

Barkley's comments offered another indication of how dramatically the offense could evolve structurally under Mannion. The shift toward additional under-center concepts affects not only the running game but also play-action timing, defensive spacing, and the overall rhythm of the offense.

For a veteran running back who has operated primarily from shotgun formations during much of his career, the adjustment represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Based on Barkley's early impressions, it is one he appears eager to embrace as the Eagles continue building toward the start of training camp.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Saquon Barkley likes the Eagles offense under Sean Mannion