Eagles RB Competition: Is Kenny Gainwell In Line To Be The Starting Running Back?

Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenny Gainwell could be in line to be the team’s RB1 after a strong training camp. Find out everything that you need to know about the Eagles’ RB competition heading into the NFL Preseason.

The Philadelphia Eagles training camp is winding down and there have been a few players moving up the depth chart.

At the beginning of camp, most Eagles fans expected the starting running back job to come down to either Rashaad Penny or D’Andre Swift. However, the two free agent signings have taken a back seat to another running back with more familiarity in Nick Sirianni’s offense.

Third-year running back Kenny Gainwell has reportedly taken control of the Eagles’ running back competition, securing more touches during training camp than any other running back.

With the NFL Preseason right around the corner, we’ll look at the Eagles’ running back competition and who might be the odd man out come Week 1.

Gainwell Emerging As Most Likely Option To Start At RB

Last season, Gainwell fell out of the running back rotation during the regular season.

However, he regained the trust of the coaching staff and shined during the NFL Playoffs, leading the Eagles’ backfield in rushing yards and yards per carry while finishing fourth on the team in receptions.

It seems the coaching staff hasn’t forgotten his strong postseason performance.

While the Eagles lost Pro Bowl running back Miles Sanders in free agency, the team managed to bolster its RB depth by signing two veterans with starting experience.

That led many Eagles fans to believe that either Penny or Swift, two talented running backs in their own right, would climb the Eagles’ depth chart during training camp.

Instead, the opposite has happened with Gainwell emerging as the clear favorite to become the Eagles’ RB1.

According to Eliot Shorr-Parks, Gainwell has recorded 40 touches during training camp, more than any other running back. He’s also had 21 carries with the first-team offense, nearly double the amount of the next-highest running.

Not only does Gainwell have the most carries, but he’s also second among RBs with 11 catches.

So, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that comes out of camp as the RB1 on the Eagles’ official depth chart.

D’Andre Swift

Swift landed fifth on the Eagles’ official depth chart for the NFL Preseason opener versus the Baltimore Ravens.

After a strong start to camp, the former Detroit Lions RB has become less involved in the Eagles’ game plan. Nearly all of his work has come in the passing game, where he’s racked up 12 catches out of the backfield.

However, Swift has 13 total carries, which is last among the top five running backs.

As of now, it looks like Swift might be more of a third-down back used in passing situations.

Rashaad Penny

Is Rashaad Penny on the roster bubble?

According to recent reports out of Eagles training camp, it certainly seems that way. Penny has the most carries of any running back with the third-team offense and. the fewest with the first-team.

Have the Eagles’ lost confidence in their free-agent pickup? Or is the coaching staff merely allowing Penny to limit his workload as he recovers from a broken fibula.

Given that he’s not a threat in the passing game, it’s hard to see him making the Eagles’ roster over Swift, Trey Sermon, or fan-favorite Boston Scott.

If Penny doesn’t receive a lot of work during the preseason, either the Eagles are saving him for when it counts or the veteran could be in jeopardy of getting cut.

Trey Sermon

One of the most talented running backs in the Eagles’ backfield, Trey Sermon hasn’t been treated like a player that is in jeopardy of getting cut from the 53-man roster.

Instead, he’s gotten plenty of first-team work, about as much as Penny. He’s also caught more passes out of the backfield than either Penny or Scott.

With Sermon under contract for two more seasons, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him carve out a bigger role in 2023.