The Philadelphia Eagles waived running back Brandon Hayes on Friday, June 5, a roster move made just four days before the team's mandatory minicamp, scheduled for June 9-11. This decision opens up a roster spot ahead of the upcoming practice sessions and clarifies the team's running back depth chart as the offseason progresses.
While Brandon Hayes was an undrafted free agent and did not appear in any regular-season games for the Eagles, his release is still noteworthy for what it reveals about the Eagles' backfield hierarchy entering the final phase of the offseason program.
Most transactions of this nature are seen as routine roster management -- trimming the fringe players before the full team convenes for the start of mandatory minicamp. Hayes' departure fits this mold, but it also shows the Eagles' commitment to focusing reps on players they believe have a clearer path to contributing during the regular season.
Understanding the Backfield Composition
The Eagles' running back room is notably deep, including established and emerging talents. At the top of the depth chart is Saquon Barkley, the primary starter who remained a workhorse throughout the 2025 season. Barkley carried 280 times for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns, and meanwhile added 37 receptions for 273 yards. At 29 years old, Barkley continues to be the focal point of the Eagles' rushing attack.
Behind Barkley, the Eagles maintain a group of backups with varying skill sets and opportunities:
Tank Bigsby: Entering his fourth NFL season, Bigsby was drafted by Jacksonville in 2023 but only appeared in one game last year due to injury. In that limited sample, he had five carries for 12 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards. His rookie season showed promise with an average of 4.8 yards per carry, and the Eagles are banking on a return to that form.
Dameon Pierce: Also in his fourth year, Pierce saw just four games in 2025 with Houston, carrying the ball 10 times for 26 yards. Pierce is attempting to recapture the impact he had during his 2022 rookie season when he rushed for 939 yards.
Will Shipley: In his third season after being drafted in 2024, Shipley contributed primarily as a third-down back, recording 14 carries for 49 yards and nine receptions for 56 yards last year across 15 games.
Elijah Mitchell: Mitchell, entering his sixth NFL season, played only one game in 2025 for Kansas City and did not register a carry. His availability has been hampered by health concerns throughout his career.
Carson Steele: Currently viewed as a practice squad candidate or developmental player.
And then, in previous depth chart conversations, there was Brandon Hayes, who never gained significant traction or made it past offseason evaluations to challenge the key players ahead of him.
The Significance of the Timing
Choosing to waive Hayes on June 5, just days before mandatory minicamp, signals the Eagles' clear view on their running back unit. The team's coaches and front office appear confident in the top four backs and prefer to funnel valuable practice reps to Bigsby, Pierce, Shipley, and Barkley -- all of whom have more potential to contribute meaningfully during the 2026 season.
Bigsby and Pierce, especially, are in direct competition for the primary backup roles behind Barkley. Each is looking to return to form and prove they belong on an NFL roster for the long haul. If either falls short during training camp, Shipley and, to a lesser extent, Mitchell are poised as alternatives for the No. 3 or No. 4 spots.
Cutting Hayes frees a roster spot that could be repurposed to add depth at a thinner position group, such as cornerback or edge rusher, as the team prepares for the full training camp opening in late July. More importantly, it communicates a message to the remaining running backs: the competition is fierce, and there is no fallback player waiting in the wings.
Coordinating the Roster Move with Offseason Progress
This roster decision comes amid an ongoing offensive transition under new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. The Eagles are currently in the process of installing Mannion's system during offseason practices and minicamp. Quarterback Jalen Hurts highlighted on May 27 the importance of these practices: "It's still being installed as we speak. So we do installs daily," and emphasized the critical nature of these repetitions.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni also echoed this perspective: "Nobody's a finished product right now. We're very early on in the stages of this," underscoring that development and learning are central themes this offseason.
Within this context, the running backs who learn the new system quickly and demonstrate reliability in protecting the quarterback and executing Bushnell's offense will have an advantage. Barkley, Bigsby, Pierce, and Shipley all enter camp with varying levels of readiness and opportunity. Hayes, however, was not positioned to earn meaningful reps or roster consideration.
Salary Cap and Roster Flexibility
From a salary cap standpoint, the release of Hayes does not provide significant financial reprieve. He was a player on a minimum-salary contract with no guaranteed money, representing a negligible cap hit. However, the move does create a roster vacancy that the Eagles can fill with a veteran player or a waiver claim who might contribute on special teams or add positional depth during the critical training camp evaluation period.
Looking Forward
Mandatory minicamp will take place June 9-11, after which the Eagles will break from organized team activities until training camp begins. It is likely that Hayes will seek opportunities with other NFL teams looking for running back depth for camp or the preseason. Nonetheless, his chances of making the Eagles' 53-man roster in 2026 were slim.
The real story remains the battle among the four backs who stay on the Philly roster. Saquon Barkley will lead the group, but the backup roles remain widely open. Tank Bigsby has the most to prove after injury setbacks, Dameon Pierce is trying to regain his early career form, and Will Shipley hopes to showcase his value as a versatile third-down back.
While cutting Hayes may seem minor at first glance, it is an early indicator of roster shaping and focus. The Eagles made room for possible additions elsewhere, and a more intense competition for the backfield depth spots looms in August. This roster management moves the Eagles closer to assembling the core players they believe can compete at a high level in 2026.
The Eagles are making their moves quietly now. Soon, the decisions on which running backs earn roster spots and significant roles will become clearer as the offseason progresses into training camp and beyond.
About the Author
Avery Cross covers the Philadelphia Eagles, focusing on player transactions, roster analysis, and team strategy. With in-depth knowledge of NFL roster dynamics, Avery provides timely updates and contextualized insights throughout the offseason and regular season.