The Eagles’ 2023 NFL offseason is almost complete, and as the Birds return for training camp, they’ll look entirely different on defense, while adding explosive players to the running back position.
Philadelphia signed former Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny to replace Miles Sanders, and the hope was that he could help decrease some of Hurts’ designed runs.
They added more explosiveness at the position, trading for former Lions running back D’Andre Swift.
As the team returns to the NovaCare Complex for training camp, head coach Nick Sirianni is fine with ” a committee approach”, as well as one of the three talented players become the top dawg.
“I’m OK having a committee, I’m OK with one guy getting the carries, too,” he said in a recent interview via NBC Sports Philadelphia. “I really am. Whatever’s working, whatever’s going (well).
“We’ll say at times we’re going to go here and then a guy gets hot and we’ll roll with him. For example, Kenny in the playoffs a little bit last year. He got more touches than he had gotten because he was running it really well.
“I’m content with whatever’s working and playing the best guys. I love the depth that we have to be able to rotate guys and keep guys fresh. I like when you have a guy that can do all of it, I like when you have a guy that you can segment it. There’s so many different ways to do it.”
With report day set for Tuesday morning, here’s a look at the Eagles committee of running backs and the best and worst case scenarios for the arrangement.
D'Andre Swift
The Eagles typically operate with a crowded backfield, and Swift will now make six running backs on the current roster and four guys who could potentially see snaps each Sunday.
Swift, a former second-round pick by the previous Lions staff, has logged 1,680 yards and 18 TDs on 364 carries in three years with Detroit. Swift also logged 1,198 receiving yards and seven additional scores on 156 catches as an actual dual threat.
He’ll complement Rashaad Penny and is a mirror image of Kenneth Gainwell.
Kenneth Gainwell
After averaging just 24.1 during the regular season, Gainwell averaged 97.5 scrimmage yards against the Giants and 49ers, putting his dual-threat abilities on display.
Even with Rashaad Penny signing in free agency, and D’Andre Swift acquired during the draft, Gainwell will see his role increase as Philadelphia works to surround Jalen Hurts with elite talent.
Rashaad Penny
When healthy, Penny is one of the most productive running backs in the NFL, averaging 5.7 yards per carry for his career and 6 yards per carry over the past two years.
A first-round pick of the Seahawks in 2018, Penny played college football at San Diego State.
In 2017, he led the nation with 2,248 rushing yards and 23 touchdowns on 289 carries, finishing fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting and garnering first-team All-American and All-Mountain West honors.
Penny had the best season of his career in 2021, rushing for 749 yards and six touchdowns, but he was limited to only ten games, and he hasn’t played over ten since his rookie season.
Philadelphia is banking on a solid training camp, with Penny developing into second-half finisher.
Boston Scott
Scott re-signed with Philadelphia on a one-year, $2 million deal.
Last season, while playing 170 offensive snaps in the regular season, Scott rushed for 217 yards and three touchdowns on 54 attempts and can be an asset in the passing game. Scott also excelled in the kickoff return game, averaging 27.1 yards, including a career-best 66-yarder against the New York Giants in Week 14.
Scott added 32 yards and a touchdown on six carries in the NFC Divisional Round playoff game against the Giants. Then he logged 21 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown run, on six carries in the NFC Championship Game victory over San Francisco.
Worst case, Scott will dominate the Giants twice during the regular season.
Trey Sermon
San Francisco selected the Ohio State product in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, with Sermon lasting one season in the Bay Area, before being waived and landing with the Eagles.
Sermon had just two carries for 19 yards on the season, but he offers potential with athleticism and elite size for the position.
The 2023 training camp could be his final NFL shot after being unable to overtake Boston Scott for carries last season.
Kennedy Brooks
A native of Mansfield, Texas, the 5-foot-11, 209-pound Brooks became the fourth player in Oklahoma Sooners history to post three 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
Signed by the Eagles as a 2022 undrafted free agent, Brooks spent the first half of the season on the practice squad before being released in late November.
He’ll likely return to the practice squad in 2023.
Best case scenario
The best case scenario for the Eagles sees Rashaad Penny make the roster with a strong training camp, before staying injury free for a 1,000+ yard rushing season.
D’Andre Swift is talented enough to log a 60+ catch season, while Kenneth Gainwell can produce the best of both worlds with a 600+ yard rushing season and 13+ touchdowns to top it off.
Worst case scenario
The worst case scenario, Penny can’t stay healthy, Swift is inconsistent and Philadelphia is forced into a trio of Gainwell, Boston Scott and Trey Sermon.
