Reuben Frank and Dave Zangaro bring back Stay or Go in 2026, trying to figure out the futures of every Eagles player on the roster.
We already took a look at quarterback.
Up today: Running back
Saquon Barkley
Roob: Not only do I expect Barkley to stay, I expect him to return to his form of 2024. It will take a healthier offensive line and a higher level of play calling, but even without those things Barkley still averaged 88 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry after Week 9 this past year. He’s still the same Saquon Barkley, he just needs a little help from his o-line and play caller to put up the kind of numbers he put up in 2024. He may not rush for 2K next year, but I expect we’ll see him closer to 2024 Saquon than the 2025 version.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: After having one of the greatest rushing seasons in NFL history, it was unlikely that Saquon Barkley would be able to have another one like that and he didn’t. In 2025, Barkley rushed for 1,140 yards with 7 touchdowns. His carries, yards and yards-per-attempt were down. But it never really felt like Barkley was at fault. Could he have been better? Yeah, sure. And at every turn, Barkley pointed the finger at himself. But it was obvious that the offensive line wasn’t opening up holes for him like it did in 2024. Barkley led NFL running backs in yards-before-contact with 3.8 in 2024 and that was down to 2.5 in 2025. The odds are that Barkley will never have a season like 2024 ever again but he’s still under 30 and should have a few good years left. He’s under contract through the 2028 season.
Verdict: Stays
Tank Bigsby
Roob: Bigsby was quite a find after coming over from the Jaguars in September. He turned out to be a tough, productive runner, averaging 5.9 yards on 62-for-363, the highest average by an Eagles running back (mininum 50 carries) since good ol’ Bosh Pritchard averaged 6.0 back in 1949. If anything, Bigsby should have gotten more carries during the stretches when the running game and the offense weren’t clicking. Bigsby has one more year on his rookie deal with the Jaguars, and he’s a bargain at $1.44 million for 2026. He’s not going anywhere.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: The Eagles probably should have used Tank Bigbsy more in 2025. It seemed like every time he touched the football, good things happened. That’s not to say they should have benched Barkley, but a steadier diet of Bigsby might have helped. Bigsby ended up with 58 rushing attempts for 344 yards (5.9) and 2 touchdowns. He runs incredibly hard and with a unique style that’s fun to watch. The Eagles traded for Bigsby early in September and he’s entering the final year of his rookie contract in 2026. Not only should Bigsby be on the team in 2026 but he should also find a slightly bigger role.
Verdict: Stays
A.J. Dillon
Roob: The idea was for Dillon to be RB2, but Bigsby’s performance rendered him irrelevant and after averaging over 700 rushing yards from 2021 through 2023 with the Packers he had only 60 rushing yards this year and only played two offensive snaps after Week 6. At least after missing all of 2024 with a neck injury Dillon proved he was healthy enough to keep playing. He’s still only 27, unsigned and should find a home somewhere. But it won’t be here.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: Early in the season, it actually looked like Dillon might have a role on offense. He actually had 12 carries for 60 yards early in the season but then Bigsby becomes the No. 2 and Dillon was inactive most weeks. The 27-year-old came back from a neck injury that some thought could threaten his career and that’s an accomplishment. But he’s a free agent now and it’s hard to imagine the Eagles bringing him back. Long live the Positivity Rabbit.
Verdict: Goes
Will Shipley
Roob: I expected a larger role for Shipley as a 3rd-down receiver, but it never materialized, and he caught only five passes for 38 yards on third down all year, and he actually finished with fewer scrimmage yards than his rookie year. The Eagles used a 4th-round pick on Shipley and I’d like to see more of him in 2026. He’s got some talent and hopefully Sean Mannion figures out the best way to use him.
Verdict: Stays
Dave: The 2024 fourth-round pick didn’t see an increased role in Year 2 of his career like some expected. In fact, he actually saw fewer touches and never really became a part of the offense. But Shipley did end up being the Eagles’ best kick returning option. He averaged 26.8 yards per return, which ranked 10th in the NFL among the 32 returners who had at least 20 returns. Shipley is entering his third season on his rookie deal and should be back.
Verdict: Stays
Carson Steele
Roob: OK, who is Carson Steele? Turns out he wasn’t with the team all year, he just signed on as a futures guy after spending the season on the Chiefs’ practice squad. He did play for the Chiefs in 2024 and averaged 3.3 yards on 56 carries, so he has some experience. If he’s here for training camp he’ll have a chance to prove himself, but I don’t see where he would fit in on this roster.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: The Eagles signed Steele to a futures contract after the season ended. Steele has spent the last two years with the Chiefs and played a bit as a rookie in 2024 before spending the 2025 season on their practice squad. The Eagles list him as a running back but it seems likely that if the 228-pound Steele makes the Eagles roster, he’ll need to show an ability top play fullback too. The Chiefs had been training him at the fullback position. For now, it seems pretty unlikely that Steele will make the Eagles’ 53-man roster but he’ll be a fun player to watch in OTAs and training camp.
Verdict: Goes
Ben VanSumeren
Roob: Was hard to see VanSumeren’s season end one snap into the opener with another knee injury. VanSumeren does have value as a fullback in some offenses, but from what we know of Sean Mannion I’d be surprised if he wants a fullback on the roster, so could be the end of the line for VanSumeren here. He is a very good special teamer, so maybe he can carve out a role on teams. Or maybe he can go back to playing linebacker, because he showed promise there before moving to offense. Wherever he is, you just hope he can stay healthy after his first two NFL seasons ended with knee injuries.
Verdict: Goes
Dave: It was such a shame to see Ben VanSumeren go down on the opening kick of the season. He made the roster as a fullback and special teamer after converting from defense. It’s unclear exactly how much VanSumeren was going to play on offense in 2025. But in the last two years, the Eagles cared about the fullback position enough to replace him after injury. VanSumeren is a restricted free agent and it’s very unlikely the Eagles will tender him. Perhaps he’ll come back on a minimum deal and try to make the team. If he’s healthy, that would make some sense.
Verdict: Stays