By Brooks Kubena, Dianna Russini, Larry Holder, Randy Mueller and Jeff Howe
Saquon Barkley is leaving the New York Giants, but he’s not leaving the NFC East. The Pro Bowl running back has agreed to terms with the Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year deal worth up to $46.75 million, including $26 million guaranteed at signing, according to a league source.
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Barkley, 27, rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns last season, along with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four more scores in 14 games. Barkley suffered a high ankle sprain early last season and wasn’t able to match his bounce-back 2022 campaign where he rushed for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns.
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The Giants opted not to place the franchise tag on Barkley for 2024. Barkley played under a one-year contract last season after trying to fight for more money and a long-term deal with the Giants. It appeared both sides were headed for a standoff as training camp approached, but Barkley signed a one-year deal worth up to $11 million and showed up to camp, opting not to sign the franchise tag.
The No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft has tallied 5,211 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns in his six seasons in New York, earning two Pro Bowl nods. He’s also caught 288 passes for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
It’s a landmark addition for the Eagles and general manager Howie Roseman, who parted with his propensity of dedicating small portions of his team’s budget to running backs. The Eagles have ranked in the bottom 10 in positional spending on running backs in each of the last four seasons. But signing Barkley provides coach Nick Sirianni and newly hired offensive coordinator Kellen Moore an all-around back as they seek to reconstruct a system that foundered late last season.
Barkley ranked No. 2 on The Athletic’s list of top free agents. He also drew interest from the Houston Texans before ultimately agreeing to terms with the Eagles, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
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How he fits
Sirianni said at the NFL combine that the Eagles’ run game “has been kind of a staple here in the past three years. And we’ve done it with different pieces. And you can always do it with different pieces.” Indeed, Philadelphia fielded back-to-back Pro Bowl running backs in Miles Sanders and D’Andre Swift, who required a moderate level of investment. Sanders and Swift both totaled over 1,200 scrimmage yards and logged at least six total touchdowns. But neither player totaled as many snaps on third down with the Eagles (Sanders, 51; Swift, 74) as Barkley did with the Giants last season (134). Barkley gives Sirianni and Moore an every-down weapon to spark an offense that lacked consistent firepower and quick targets against the blitz.
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2024 impact
The Barkley signing will be the most the Eagles have spent on a running back since DeMarco Murray signed a five-year, $42 million contract in 2015. Roseman wasn’t then in a decision-making role in what was Chip Kelly’s final season, and Roseman traded Murray after the former All-Pro spent just one rocky season in Philadelphia. Barkley will be Roseman’s biggest move at running back since he signed LeSean McCoy to a five-year, $45 million extension in 2012. Roseman and Sirianni believe Barkley can follow McCoy’s path. Barkley can be a better fit in an offensive system currently being repaired. This is where Moore’s potential impact may most emerge. Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard and Austin Ekeler each logged 50-catch seasons with at least 400 receiving yards while playing for Moore.
History
There’s no question Barkley is one of the NFL’s most dynamic running backs when he’s on the field. But can he stay healthy? Barkley has missed eight regular-season games since returning from his 2020 ACL tear. He missed three games last season with an ankle injury. Still, the Eagles witnessed Barkley’s explosivity firsthand in last year’s regular-season finale, when Barkley totaled 80 yards (29 rushing, 51 receiving) and two touchdowns (both rushing) by halftime. He finished with 97 total yards while playing minimally in the second half of the 27-10 win.
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Outlook
The Eagles needed to improve the potency and consistency of what was at times a dynamic offense in 2023. Roseman, Sirianni and Moore will certainly be pleased with the prospects of a system that features Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert — and now Barkley. The Eagles enter the offseason with one of the most potent running back rooms in the NFL. Kenneth Gainwell remains under contract, and the 2021 fifth-round pick should be a solid No. 2 option after rushing for 354 yards and two touchdowns last season, plus 183 yards on 30 catches. How much better will Sirianni and Moore improve this offense?
How Barkley stacks up
Here’s a look at how Barkley stacks up to other notable free-agent running backs in touches, expected points added per target/rush and EPA per rush (via TruMedia. Ranking in parentheses; 59 eligible RBs, minimum 80 touches):
| player | Touches | Epa/rush | EPA/Tar+Rush |
|---|---|---|---|
308 (5) | -0.01 (11) | -0.00 (16) | |
307 (6) | -0.08 (33) | -0.10 (38) | |
288 (8) | -0.20 (52) | -0.19 (53) | |
270 (13) | -0.16 (46) | -0.14 (45) | |
268 (14) | 0.00 (9) | -0.04 (23) | |
246 (21) | -0.07 (30) | -0.08 (33) | |
235 (22) | -0.17 (49) | -0.17 (52) | |
230 (27) | -0.19 (51) | -0.19 (54) | |
210 (29) | -0.06 (29) | -0.02 (17) | |
87 (58) | -0.22 (54) | -0.13 (44) | |
82 (59) | -0.42 (59) | -0.35 (59) |
In terms of advanced metrics, Barkley’s numbers aren’t so hot even though he looked more like the Barkley of his early career in these past two seasons. You’d think Barkley, who’s still well below the dreaded 30-year-old RB threshold, could be an offensive asset for a team with viable quarterback play possessing weapons outside of himself. — Larry Holder, NFL senior writer
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Mueller’s scouting report on Barkley
Barkley’s natural instincts and vision to create beyond the play’s design make him special. He finishes like a 232-pound back should, with power and lean, but has the rare trait to make defenders miss as well. He’s also detailed and controlled as a route runner, which makes him the best three-down back available, even with durability concerns (25 games missed in six seasons, three in 2023). More than just a running back, he is a weapon. — Randy Mueller, NFL staff writer
Required reading
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(Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images)