Saquon Barkley will indeed be making a move inside the NFC East as he begins his post-Giants career. The Eagles have agreed to terms with Barkley on a three-year, $37.75M contract featuring $26M fully guaranteed, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.
A number of suitors have been floated as Barkley suitors in the build-up to free agency. A new Giants arrangement was long thought to be a possibility, but for some time a trip to free agency seemed to be on deck.
Barkley and the Eagles were believed to have a mutual interest, so this news comes as little surprise. Jordan Shultz of Bleacher Report adds the Bears and Texans were finalists for the Penn State product.
Still, the move is of course a noteworthy one as it ensures Barkley will play against his former team twice per season. The former No. 2 pick was one of three running backs who received the franchise tag (valued at $10.1M) last offseason.
A second tag was an option for New York, although a multi-year deal was believed to be a consideration as well for general manager Joe Schoen. As recent reports indicated (and Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post confirms), however, the Giants did not make an offer this offseason.
Free to pursue other options, Barkley managed to secure a guarantee figure higher than what he would have landed playing on consecutive tags.
Term — like with all backs in this year’s market — was no doubt a consideration for both team and player, but at age 27 this represents a notable commitment in terms of length for Barkley. He will take the place of D’Andre Swift, who has a deal in place with the Bears.
Barkley has recorded at least 1,200 scrimmage yards four times in his six-year career, one which has been marred by injuries at times. He has been a focal point on offense throughout his tenure, though, and questions will now be raised about the Daniel Jones-led Giants’ ability to replicate Barkley’s production moving forward.
Even with the numerous deals worked out at the RB spot, plenty of veterans are still on the market as potential Barkley replacements.
The Eagles will be looking to avoid a repeat of last year’s late-season collapse. A strong commitment to the run game could be an element of that effort, one which in general will be overseen by new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
Increased usage of running backs in the passing game could be in the cards moving forward, but even if not Philadelphia will have a dynamic option in the backfield.
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