Eagles OC's Tank Bigsby admission reveals backfield scheme for Saquon Barkley
The engine of the Eagles' offense has found a new gear. It rumbles with extra horsepower now. Imagine a vintage car, all polished and iconic, leading the charge. Then, you hear the guttural roar of a modern supercar waiting in the wings. That’s the new sound echoing through the NovaCare Complex. The starter is a known superstar, but the backup? He brings a thrilling, explosive uncertainty.
This new dynamic is changing everything. And Offensive Coordinator Kevin Patullo just made a telling admission about Tank Bigsby. A reporter asked if he knew about Bigsby's power. Patullo’s response was revealing. He said,
He added, “It just adds another element to our offense, another dynamic player that if Saquon needs a blow and he gets tired for a second, we can go back out there with Tank Bigsby and keep it rolling.”
This philosophy exploded to life against the Giants. Saquon Barkley dominated with 150 rushing yards. But got benched over a groin injury. Then came Bigsby. And he delivered a shocking 104 yards... that too on just nine carries. The Eagles' ground game amassed a historic 277 yards. The one-two punch finally arrived. And suddenly, the backfield looks incredibly deep and dangerous.
This crazy run game and overall domination even prompted Nick Sirianni to hand over a cowbell to Saquon and Bigsby. Supposedly, a new ritual in the Eagles locker room. Besides, Bigsby's success directly fuels the entire offense.
Defenses can no longer key solely on Barkley. This opens up the play-action game for Jalen Hurts. It creates clearer windows for receivers. The offense transforms from predictable to multiple. This balance is what Patullo has been searching for all season. And the proof was in the production
Unleashing the Tank Bigsby Effect
Patullo’s acknowledgment solidifies Bigsby's role. He is the designated relief pitcher for the ace. This allows Barkley to stay fresh for a full four-quarter grind. More importantly, it gives the offense a consistent, powerful identity. The run game doesn't dip when the starter takes a breather. It just keeps coming in waves.
The players have clearly bought in. Left tackle Jordan Mailata praised the rookie’s hunger, stating, “That boy’s hungry. Talk about hungry dogs. Tank is a hungry dog.” This sentiment resonates throughout the locker room. The offensive line loves blocking for a back who attacks the hole with force. The entire unit feeds off that relentless energy.
Hurts has seen this development unfold. He understands the importance of continuity. “There’s a culmination of time, experiences together, and the communication that you all merge together so you can get it to where you want to be,”
This new backfield scheme is the culmination of patience and identity. Barkley remains the centerpiece, a superstar in his prime. Bigsby is now the perfect complement, a powerful change of pace. Sirianni’s mystery cowbell now makes sense. Whoever hammers the rock rings the bell, and only the room hears it. If both backs top 100 again, the sound will echo straight into January.
Vikings May Trade Breakout Playmaker Amid Offensive Struggles: Report
The Minnesota Vikings just added a veteran quarterback in John Wolford, a move they might end up matching by dealing away a fourth-year wide receiver who has gotten better with each season.
Kevin Seifert of ESPN wrote on Wednesday, October 29, that Jalen Nailor is atop Minnesota’s list of potential trade candidates, as he is on the final year of his rookie contract and will become a free agent next March absent a contract extension before then.
“He is a key part of the Vikings’ three-receiver sets and has played the fourth-highest percentage of snaps (74.1%) of any offensive player. But in the Vikings’ efforts to feed Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, Nailor has been targeted only 26 times this season,” Seifert wrote. “The Vikings aren’t looking to trade Nailor, but they have depth behind him in veteran Adam Thielen. Nailor is also a pending free agent. With Jefferson set to count for $39 million against the 2026 cap and Addison eligible for an extension this upcoming offseason, Nailor could move on next year anyway.”
Jalen Nailor Had Breakthrough Season for Vikings in 2024
Nailor, 26 years old, was a sixth-round pick of the Vikings out of Michigan State in the 2022 NFL draft. He inked a four-year deal with the team for $3.85 million total, which has proven worth the money for Minnesota over the past three and a half seasons.
During his rookie campaign, Nailor played just 57 offensive snaps, but saw 216 snaps on special teams. He had 13 targets and made nine receptions for 179 yards and one touchdown.
Nailor battled injury issues in 2023, straining his hamstring mid-season and suffering a concussion near the end of the campaign. He finished the year with just six appearances and one start to his credit.
However, the wideout leveled up in Year 3, earning seven starts and hauling in 28 receptions for 414 yards and six TDs in a breakout campaign. He has 13 grabs for 162 yards and one score through seven games (five starts) in 2025.
Vikings Quarterback J.J. McCarthy Could Use Help of Jalen Nailor in Return to Starting Lineup Against Lions
Should the Vikings actually trade Nailor, which makes considerable sense since he could probably bring back at least a sixth-round pick in return (what Minnesota spent to acquire him four drafts ago), that move would not be catastrophic for their offense or returning quarterback J.J. McCarthy.
That said, McCarthy is presumably stepping back into the starting role in a highly-pressurized situation, with the Vikings (3-4) on a two-game losing streak and heading to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions (5-2) coming off their bye week.
QB Carson Wentz (2-3 as a starter this year) is out for the season due to surgery on his non-throwing shoulder. Hence Minnesota’s signing of Wolford Wednesday.
Nailor has been a teammate of McCarthy’s for the past two years, and they played two games together to begin the 2025 campaign before McCarthy suffered a high-ankle sprain that has sidelined him for the past month and a half.
Considering their familiarity with one another and the number of snaps Nailor is playing this season, it might be beneficial for McCarthy to have the wideout at his disposal in what is sure to be a tough challenge this weekend.
For what it’s worth, the Vikings could hold onto Nailor through next week’s game and still trade him, as the deadline to make such moves doesn’t expire until November 4.
