Eagles exploring new wrinkles to unlock Tank Bigsby's game further

When the Philadelphia Eagles acquired Tank Bigsby, no one questioned his ability. Few, however, expected him to become a focal point of some potential offensive air raid. Through three NFL seasons, the former Auburn Tigers standout has caught just 11 passes, building his reputation as a physical, downhill runner rather than a dual-threat back who can stress defenses as a target out of the backfield.

Early in training camp, however, the Eagles appear to be exploring a different side of his game. While Saquon Barkley remains the unquestioned centerpiece of Philadelphia’s backfield, Bigsby has been featured as a receiver as much as, if not more than, a ball carrier during practice. That may not be an accident.

Training camp isn’t just about preparing players for Week 1. It’s also an opportunity for coaches to discover traits that may have gone untapped elsewhere. Bigsby’s work in the passing game suggests the Eagles are doing exactly that.

If he can prove capable of contributing as a receiver, Bigsby becomes more than Barkley’s primary backup. He becomes a more complete offensive option who can stay on the field in a wider variety of situations without tipping the play call. He tracks as one of the most important pieces of the Eagles’ offensive machine this season.

That versatility would only strengthen an offense that already features one of the NFL’s deepest collections of skill-position talent. It also aligns with Philadelphia’s broader objective of managing Barkley’s workload.

The reigning 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year remains the engine of the running game. Still, the Eagles have little reason to overwork him during another long regular season if complementary backs can shoulder meaningful responsibilities.

Bigsby showed he can produce on the ground last season, rushing 58 times for 344 yards and two touchdowns while adding 19 rushing yards on four carries during Philadelphia’s Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. His ability as a runner isn’t the question.

The more intriguing question is whether there’s another layer to his game that previous offenses never fully explored. Training camp won’t answer that on its own, but the Eagles’ early usage suggests they’re interested in finding out. If Bigsby develops into a more reliable receiving threat, Sean Mannion’s offense could gain another versatile weapon capable of creating favorable matchups throughout the season.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles exploring new wrinkles to unlock Tank Bigsby’s game further