One week into the 2025 season, the Jacksonville Jaguars shipped running back Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for 2026 fifth- and sixth-round picks. The move sent the team’s last year’s rushing leader to a playoff-ready roster looking for more backfield depth and a boost on special teams under the NFL’s new kickoff rules.
More on Tank Bigsby’s Trade to the Eagles
The Jaguars’ Week 1 usage hinted at a shift in Jacksonville. First-year coach Liam Coen leaned heavily on Travis Etienne (16 carries, 143 yards), while Bigsby saw limited work as rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen rotated in.
The strategy reflected a speed-driven offense built around Etienne’s explosiveness and the development of the younger backs, leaving Bigsby in a reduced role despite a strong 2024.
The decision wasn’t about performance. Bigsby paced the team in rushing last season with career bests in attempts (168), yards (766), and touchdowns (7). But with Etienne healthy, two rookies needing reps, and the scheme trending toward more perimeter action, Jacksonville chose roster fit and future draft capital, clearing up the depth chart behind its star runner.
The league climate also played a role. With kickoff rules redesigned in 2024 and tweaked again in 2025 to push touchbacks out to the 35, return rates skyrocketed (75.6% in Week 1 compared to 30.2% last year).
That boosted the value of physical, downhill runners who can impact field position. For the Eagles, adding Bigsby strengthens both their ground game and their ability to capitalize on those hidden-yardage opportunities.
Bigsby’s Season With the Eagles So Far
Bigsby played in 16 games during the regular season for the Eagles. With Saquon Barkley not playing up to his usual lofty standards, Bigsby rushed for 344 yards and two touchdowns on 58 carries, averaging an impressive 5.9 yards per carry.
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The Eagles enter the playoffs as the third seed in the NFC and will face the San Francisco 49ers in the Wild Card round.
On the Jacksonville side, the move appears justified as well. Etienne has delivered a strong year, totaling 1,107 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt. Both teams appear to be benefiting from the decision.
Philadelphia Eagles’ Stats and Insights for Wild Card Round
Team: The Eagles experienced a decline this season, averaging 22.3 points per game and allowing 19.1, compared to last season’s 27.2 points scored and 17.8 allowed.
Playoffs: The Eagles under Nick Sirianni are 5-0 at home in the postseason, winning by an average of 21.0 points per game.
QB: Jalen Hurts’ QBi of 87.2 (B+) in last season’s NFC Championship game was the best score in his nine career postseason games. He registered an 81.2 (B-) in the Super Bowl.
OFF: In his first three seasons with the Eagles, A.J. Brown averaged 5.6 receptions on 8.5 targets for 85.8 yards per game. This season, while his receptions (5.2) and targets (8.1) per game remained close to those averages, his yards per game dropped to 66.9.
His WRi grade was B+ or better, which was good for a top-nine finish the first three seasons in Philadelphia. However, this season, his grade was B- and he finished 21st.
DEF:Â The Eagles finished with a DEFi score of 83.0 and a final ranking of seventh. They had five weeks ranked in the top five in DEFi.
