Tank Bigsby’s Breakout Performance Could Force Major Changes for Eagles
Tank Bigsby broke out in a big way in the Philadelphia Eagles 38-20 Week 8 win over the New York Giants, finishing with nine carries for 104 yards (that’s a ridiculous 11.6 yards per carry).
With Saquon Barkley also going off for a 65-yard TD, finishing with 150 rushing yards and a receiving score, Bigsby’s surge very likely solidified him in the No. 2 role behind Barkley.
Bigsby arrived via trade in early September, but he hadn’t played much until this past Sunday. Entering Week 8, he had just one carry as an Eagle, but by night’s end he had his first 100-yard game with Philadelphia, which included a key conversion on 2nd-and-26.
“It’s clear Bigsby has passed A.J. Dillon and even Will Shipley on the depth chart and for good reason,”Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia wrote on October 26. “While Barkley is obviously still going to be the Eagles’ featured running back, Bigsby is a good candidate to spell him with some fresh legs the rest of the season.”
More on Why Tank Bigsby Will Likely Replace Will Shipley as RB2
GettyRB Tank Bigsby likely solidified his role as the Philadelphia Eagles’ RB2 ahead of Will Shipley.
The win over the Giants very likely crystallized the RB pecking order. Barkley is still the clear RB1 — Sunday was his first 100-yard game of 2025 and a reminder of why the offense runs through him — but Bigsby gave the Eagles exactly what they’ve lacked behind Saquon.
When you’ve struggled all year to run the ball the way Philly has, and then the ground game breaks out with 8.4 yards per carry — you’re likely going to roll with the group who led the breakout.
“I’m not surprised,” left tackle Jordan Mailata said about Bigsby’s big game, via Zangaro. “I just waited for him to have a breakout game. Just happened to be today. That boy’s hungry. Talk about hungry dogs. We always talk about hungry dogs run faster. Tank is a hungry dog.”
So, where does this leave Shipley?
Shipley missed time earlier this season with an oblique injury, and his role has mostly been situational: returns, perimeter packages, some third-down work. He’s still a nice downhill complement to Barkley, but Bigsby is likely the best fit for RB2 right now.
Barring injury, expect Tank to be the first backup behind Saquon when Philly returns from its bye.
Will A.J. Dillion Be Cut After Bigsby’s Breakout?
With Bigsby showing what he can do, Dillon’s status is now in serious question. Dillon was a healthy scratch Week 7, with the Eagles dressing Saquon, Shipley and Bigsby instead.
Dillon, who’s more a grinder with size, could remain game-plan dependent unless injuries or matchups dictate otherwise. He could stick around — but he could also find himself getting cut or traded if he no longer has a role.
After Week 8, the most probable rotation looks like Barkley as the bell cow, Bigsby as his backup and Shipley as the change-of-pace/third-down option.
For his part, Bigsby is just going with the flow and trying to make the most of his touches.
“Whenever you get an opportunity, whenever your number’s called, you just got to be ready in this league,” Bigsby said. “Just trying to be the best back I can be for my guys. Anything it is, just going out there and being the best person you can be.”
Packers’ Offseason Acquisition Speaks Out After Benching
The Green Bay Packers had a strong win over Aaron Rodgers and the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday night.
The defense allowed less than 300 total yards on offense, and the offense put up over 450 on Mike Tomlin’s prized side of the ball.
One thing that did stand out for Green Bay was the fact that head coach, Matt LaFleur, and defensive coordinator, Jeff Hafley, decided to bench offseason free agent acquisition, Nate Hobbs, who signed a 4 year, $48 million deal this offseason to come to Wisconsin.
Hobbs had a few misgivings in training camp, including some “overenthusiastic” big hits on offensive players, but started all six of the team’s opening games.
Nate Hobbs Reveals What He Needs To Do To Improve Game Post-Benching
However, after what has been a slightly shaky start, the team made a clear decision to start former seventh round pick, Carrington Valentine, over him on the perimeter opposite Keisean Nixon, with second year slot, Javon Bullard, manning the slot.
And speaking on Wednesday, Hobbs described how he felt losing his spot in the starting lineup, and what he plans to do to get back there.
Nate Hobbs spoke for about 10 minutes today about being benched. Story coming later, but he said of what he needs to do better:
“Just 100% of the snaps, be wired in and focused like I am most of the snaps.”
“Just 100% of the snaps be wired in and focused like I am most of the snaps, 400% of the time.” Hobbs said to the Green Bay media on Wednesday. “Corner is a position that if you give up 10% of catches that you on the field, and the other 90% you’re doing your job, you still can be considered not doing your job and not playing good. Just been focused 100% of the time.”
Will The Packers Look To Reinforce The Defense Prior To The Trade Deadline?
The secondary could certainly use some help, and would be the obvious positional addition for the team prior to the trade deadline in five days time, but it could be that LaFleur and general manager, Brian Gutekunst, take another route on a last-gasp trade.
Ben Solak of ESPN suggests that the team could instead look to stock up on defensive linemen in a potential trade, such as Tennessee Titans defensive tackle, Sebastian Joseph-Day.
“Titans defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day.” Solak wrote on Wednesday. “The Packers are thin on the defensive interior after the departure of Kenny Clark in the Parsons trade, and Wyatt’s injury has served as a stark reminder of that vulnerability. Joseph-Day is a stout run defender on a one-year deal — perfect for patching one of the few remaining holes on a Super Bowl contender.”
The Packers’ run defense has been one of the best in the league, coming in at third in the NFL in allowing opponents less than 79 rushing yards per game.
Much of that does come down to teams needing to pass more, as Green Bay tends to play with a lead more than the average team due to the high-powered nature of the offense. Yet, at the same time, the franchise is managing to cope in the aftermath of the Clark trade to Dallas.
If the Packers do bring someone in, they will assuredly look to find a clear, bona fide difference maker.
