A new offense brings a new challenge, which as running back Saquon Barkley explains, is "starting from scratch." The terminology is different. The structure is, in some respects, different. The way to attack defenses is different.

For a running back, having the quarterback under center versus having the quarterback in the shotgun presents a new way of conducting business. In the world of precision and fundamentals, it can be a seismic change.

That is why, quite frankly, Barkley is so fresh and smiling and accepting of an offense that is in the very early stages of implementation in this 2026 Training Camp at the Jefferson Health Training Complex.

"I think it's pretty cool that you start from scratch, learn a new language, get familiar with a new system. It's fun," Barkley said. "The way you take it is a little bit different ... as a competitor, you welcome that challenge."

So what, exactly, is different for a star running back like Barkley, who has had two seasons of high productivity in Philadelphia? He had the all-time season in 2024, of course, and then came last year with 1,140 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

Now, the Eagles have Sean Mannion as the offensive coordinator and there is a new run game coordinator in Ryan Mahaffey, and things look different on the field. How different, we don't know. But Barkley is getting a better feel every day.

"I've been intrigued with this kind of system," Barkley said. "Watching it from afar and seeing a lot of guys have a lot of success in it. The thing that changes for me, you coach it a little bit different. Outside zone, wide zone, the read is pretty much the same, but just getting more of a one-cut (up the field) mindset. All of us (running backs in the NFL), unless you're in a system like this in college, most of us come from (shot)gun (formation) ... more of an inside zone (running scheme).

"You see guys struggle in the outside zone at the beginning, but I've been working on it and having that one-cut mentality but still doing it the way I like to get out of the cut – efficient and being in line with the offensive line."

There are nuances within all of this and much of it comes with familiarity and developing a feel. This is why Training Camp is so important and why every rep in practice is treasured. The Eagles want to gash defenses with an impressive running back room that includes Barkley, Tank Bigsby, Will Shipley, Dameon Pierce, and Elijah Mitchell. All have had success in the NFL and all bring a certain sizzle to the room.

Barkley is at the head of the class, yes. He's learning every day, just like the rest of the players in Jemal Singleton's room.

"How are we going to attack things and build? We are all working at it," Barkley said. "It is all a little different, and we are all going through that in the offense. We do it together. We learn the same and that's the best way to do it – as a team."

Something new is going on here, and step by step the Eagles are putting it together, absorbing the new system and learning and growing. Just when you think you've done it all in the NFL, you have a new playbook. The learning and the improvement never ends.

"If you aren't moving forward in this league," Barkley said, "you're going in the wrong direction. That's what this league is all about."