Saquon Barkley Resurgence Predicted by Lane Johnson in 1st Year Under New Eagles OC Sean Mannion

Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson told reporters on Wednesday that he believes running back Saquon Barkley is in line for a season like 2024, when the eight-year veteran earned Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year honors.

Barkley amassed an NFL-high 2,283 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2024. He also had a career-high 6.0 yards per touch.

In addition, the former Penn State star rushed for 2,005 yards, becoming just the ninth player in NFL history to accomplish the feat in a single season.

However, the 2025 season represented a significant downturn. Barkley went from running for 5.8 yards per carry in 2024 to 4.1 YPC in 2025. His yards per touch went down to 4.5. Overall, he gained 1,413 total yards and scored nine touchdowns.

Philadelphia has undergone major offensive changes since then, parting ways with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who took over for OC Kellen Moore in Feb. 2025 after he took the New Orleans Saints' head coaching gig.

Former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion, who was the Green Bay Packers' QB coach last year, has taken over at OC.

He's clearly made a great impression on Eagle players so far, including Johnson and fellow offensive tackle Jordan Mailata.

"Sean is an evil genius. That is my first impression," Mailata said back in June, per ESPN's Tim McManus. "The guy knows ball. If I were to lock the three smartest people in the facility in one room, Sean would be there. And I think Sean would just be by himself. It would just be Sean. He's a wizard. And man, I'm super excited. As the year goes on, we get to display what is in that beautiful mind of his."

McManus gave a glimpse of what Mannion's offense looks like via his training camp observations.

"Jalen Hurts is under center way more," McManus wrote on Aug. 11. "There is motion on almost every play. They are leaning heavily into play-action. And they've implemented a wide-zone blocking scheme, departing from the more vertical attack orchestrated by former offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland."

That could certainly lead to more running room for Barkley. We'll see how Mannion's scheme works soon enough when the Eagles begin the season on Sunday, Sept. 13 at home versus the Washington Commanders.