For the Washington Commanders to surpass the Philadelphia Eagles in the highly competitive NFC East and advance further than last season, stopping Saquon Barkley remains essential. However, experts predict that Barkley will show signs of regression in 2025, which could give the Commanders a critical advantage as they look to improve their chances of reaching the Super Bowl.
Last season, the Commanders struggled mightily against Barkley, who led the league in rushing. Yet, John Daigle from Establish The Run suggests that Barkley’s prolific use and explosive plays may not be sustainable. On the Ross Tucker Podcast, Daigle highlighted the unusually high workload Barkley carried, noting that he had
“the most touches since DeMarco Murray,”
referencing Murray’s 449 touches in 2014 during his league-leading Dallas Cowboys campaign.
Daigle expressed skepticism about Barkley’s ability to maintain his level of explosive production, particularly his frequent long touchdown runs. He cautioned that
“there will be regression, in terms of his explosive touchdown runs, like, you just can’t pop, you can’t naturally sustain how he scored touchdowns with 60-plus yard runs all the time.”
This expected decline in Barkley’s big-play capability could prove beneficial for the Commanders as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Why Washington Needs Barkley to Slow Down in 2025
In last season’s matchups, Barkley consistently found ways to break free against Washington’s previously vulnerable run defense. His 23- and 39-yard touchdown runs contributed to a 146-yard rushing day during the Eagles’ 26-18 Week 11 victory over the Commanders.
Later in Week 16, Barkley added a 68-yard touchdown rush, finishing with 150 yards on the ground. Although the Commanders were defeated, the impact of these long runs was undeniable. The NFC Championship Game reinforced this problem as Barkley’s 60-yard touchdown run helped the Eagles dominate with 229 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns.
Washington’s inability to stop Barkley from breaking long runs directly hindered their chance to reach the Super Bowl last year. Addressing this weakness has become a top priority during the offseason, fueling the Commanders’ efforts to build a more versatile defense capable of containing even a somewhat diminished Barkley in 2025.
How New Defensive Strategies Could Limit Barkley’s Impact
The Commanders have adopted a dual strategy aimed at countering Barkley’s threat along with combating the overall strength of league running games. Their defense surrendered an average of 4.8 yards per carry in 2024, but this figure is projected to improve as they bolster their front line with significant additions.
Key signings such as 6-foot-5, 319-pound defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw, seasoned nose tackle Eddie Goldman who weighs 332 pounds, and 6-foot-5, 271-pound edge rusher Deatrich Wise Jr. enhance Washington’s ability to resist being pushed off the line of scrimmage. Their size and versatility enable the Commanders to adapt to offensive formations more dynamically.
Kinlaw’s anticipated role on the edge, combined with Wise’s flexibility to move inside on passing downs, creates uncertainty for opposing blockers. These new configurations give Washington a greater chance to disrupt the Eagles’ blocking schemes, increasing pressure on Barkley and forcing him to contend with more defenders.
With Barkley expected to experience some regression in his explosive plays, bringing more defenders to the line could be decisive. This tactical improvement might finally allow the Burgundy and Gold to close the gap on Philadelphia in the NFC East and contend more seriously for postseason success.
The potential slowing of Barkley’s game in 2025, coupled with Washington’s rebuilt defense, represents a turning point. If the Commanders effectively limit Barkley’s big runs and control the line of scrimmage, they can challenge the Eagles’ dominance and take a vital step toward their Super Bowl aspirations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Saquon Barkley a millionaire?
A. As of 2025, Saquon Barkley is believed to have a net worth of $32 million, based on reports from Pro Football Network and Marca. Most of his money comes from high-paying NFL deals.
Q. What is Saquon Barkley’s weakness?
A. SPORTSRADIO 94WIP on X shared that Brian Westbrook thinks Saquon Barkley’s sole flaw is his overly kind nature.
Q. Was Saquon Barkley a giant?
A. The New York Giants picked Barkley as the second choice in the 2018 draft.
Q. Was Saquon Barkley a boxer?
A. Saquon Barkley nearly chose a different sport. Raised in a family of Bronx boxers, Saquon was expected to become a boxer, too. However, after relocating to Pennsylvania, he discovered football, which became his passion. Today, he stands as the highest-earning running back in NFL history.