Saquon Barkley has been front-page news across the football world this week, but it’s been more than his new contract that has been grabbing headlines. There’s been a fair amount of drama associated with Barkley’s decision to cross sides in the Eagles-Giants rivalry, as well. Now, Penn State football coach James Franklin has taken center stage in the saga, after comments he made this week have led some to believe the Philadelphia Eagles tampered with Barkley ahead of NFL free agency.
James Franklin comments on former Penn State football star spark Eagles tampering allegations
Former Penn State football star Saquon Barkley struck one of the first and most significant deals of NFL free agency this week, signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles announced Monday.
But new questions have been raised about the timing of the Eagles’ contact with the New York Giants running back. At the center of these allegations is Penn State football coach James Franklin and comments he made regarding Barkley at his media availability on Monday.
“For him now to come back and be able to play within the state in Philadelphia [is important],” Franklin said when asked about the significance of Saquon Barkley returning to Pennsylvania. “He said that was one of the first things that Howie [Roseman] said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him was not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that, but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan bases as well.”
The comments suggest that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman spoke directly to Barkley during the “legal tampering” period of NFL free agency, which is prohibited unless the player is their own representative during contract negotiations. The allegations picked up significant steam on Wednesday, forcing the Philadelphia Eagles to deny violating the tampering rule.
While Franklin’s quote has sparked a flurry of controversy in NFL circles, there’s no denying the importance of Barkley’s return to Pennsylvania for Penn State football. Franklin spoke to the benefit that the new Philadelphia Eagles star can have on in-state recruiting for the Nittany Lions.
“Obviously, being a Pennsylvania kid who chose to stay home and come to Penn State, our hit rate with players that have decided to stay home from the state of Pennsylvania has been really good,” Franklin said. “I’m talking about the top players in the state that have chosen to stay here.
“We can go on and on and on whether it is Micah [Parsons], whether it is Saquon, and then some of the guys that we are able to get back on the rebound, is also going to be interesting for us as well moving forward.”
Saquon Barkley blasts ex-New York Giants running back following signing with Philadelphia
The tampering allegations are just the latest controversy surrounding Saquon Barkley’s singing with the Philadelphia Eagles. Following Monday’s announcement, former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber criticized the move to join the Giants’ divisional rival. “You’re dead to us, Saquon,” Barber said. “Good luck, you’re dead to me.”
Barkley didn’t take kindly to the comments, publicly responding on social media. Barber had previously spoken out against Barkley joining the Eagles last week.
The former Nittany Lion left Happy Valley in 2017 after rushing for almost 4,000 yards and setting records for the most rushing touchdowns (43) and total touchdowns (53) in Penn State football history.
Now less than one week into his tenure as a Philadelphia Eagle, Saquon Barkley has sparked much debate across the NFL. But with his return to the Keystone State now official, Barkley will look to continue the play that made him one of the most electric players to ever wear the Blue and White.
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