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, $37.75MM contract featuring $26MM 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 $10.1MM) 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.
As a Giants fan, this makes me sad.
On the one hand, sure. But on the other hand, good for him. I didn’t think he’d get that much money so that part is nice to see.
Giants fan side of me wonders if this makes the Eagles much better. I don’t think it does, especially with that clown Sirianni still running the show.
Giants fans calling other head coaches clowns? You’ve got Brian Daboll.
How is Daboll a clown? He’s had two seasons of horrible rosters and still managed a playoff appearance and a win. Sirianni might be the biggest clown HC in the league.
Daboll was named “Coach of the Year” for getting his ass kicked by Philly and Dallas. Sirianni took the Eagles to a Super Bowl.
End of discussion.
The dude threw a challenge flag on the first play of a game and then tried to pick it up. Sirianni has had his share of moments but Giants fans calling anyone else clowns when their franchise has been a complete joke for a long time is quite bold
And the fact he was named Coach of the Year over Doug Pederson was a complete disgrace
Wait, Daboll isn’t a clown because he won a playoff game. Yet Sirianni takes his team to the Super Bowl and is the biggest clown in the league?
Yeah that’s rational thinking…
Wow, I didn’t think they would but they did.
Swift cost half that and has less mileage. This is a pretty big gamble with a RB who’s had a lot of injuries.
Swift whole career was injury prone before he got to the Eagles. He had a much less workload spread out on the Eagles.
Bears have Swift, Herbert and Johnson. All 3 are pretty much the same guy with minor differences. They’ll be fine. If Barkley gets hurt Eagles is Sanders the guy?
Sanders is in Carolina.
It was more of a question of who it was gonna be. So that’s a no right?
Haha. Nice back track Uncle.
They can easily draft a rookie RB in the later rounds.
Love this move for Barkley as he jumps to the best offensive line in football while getting far away from the inept Daniel Jones. Surrounded by weapons like hurts, Smith, brown and company won’t hurts. Bwa bwa. In other words Barkley finally said uncle uncle Mike and split.
@Uncle, now Barkley only has to play 1 game a year on the worst surface in the NFL. And, in that game, the Eagles could handoff to Boston Scott and work Barkley out of the slot.
Great Googly Moogly!
Reminds me of the DeMarco Murray signing. The Eagles overpaying for a rival’s star running back who won’t be healthy or productive enough for them.
Reminds me of a completely different circumstance and team and player and head coach. Oh and Howie wasn’t calling the shots. So you ace are completely and utterly dismissed with extreme prejudice.
You sound like a fool.
Hmmmmm
If it’s completely different then how would it remind you of something. All those words trying to be funny and condescending. But in the end you just sound foolish.
I don’t know how it is in the other divisions, but NFC East teams seem to love to do this. You see a guy twice a year and think he’s a stud so you sign him. Landon Collins with Washington comes to mind. Also when the Eagles signed Steve Smith (the Giants one).
Wow great 2 examples.
And somehow rct didn’t mention the Eagles signing QB Joe Pisarcik of the Giants a couple of seasons after the infamous “Miracle in the Meadowlands”.
@crosseyedlemon: I may have blocked Pisarcik from my memory lmao
Barkley is a superior back to Murray in every aspect of the game. They aren’t even remotely similar.
Eloquently put.
Murray was a square peg being slammed into a round hole.
He was never a fit for the offense. Yet he took the money.
That’s $13 million per season if he gets cut after 2 seasons. That’s too much for a RB.
Not to mention RBs age like milk. It used to be they play well until 30. Now you see guys dropping off by 27. That’s with guys with long track records of health too.
You are still dismissed.
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible.
Yes the giants made a huge mistake I agree.
Lol. Eagles are toast.
Your comment is is bitter.
Not really. Don’t care for or against the Eagles. Pollard @ 8M is better value than Barkley and his weak knees @ over $12M.
Pollard and his 11 carries a game ? Your comments are are definitely butter.
Which us exactly my point. Less mileage and not the injury risk. We get it, you have naked pictures of Barkley and spank your little monkey to him twice a day. You defend the man like he even knows you exist LOL
I have a large monkey. I don’t spank it I slap your face with it. And you love it.
Lol from your mom’s basement. Take away the microscope little one.
I knew it.
He’s not getting over $12m. My understanding, $26m guaranteed for 3 years. Total contract value is $33.5m.
His contract is $37.75mil over 3 years, which is over $12mil/year with incentives taking it as high as $46.75mil.
You are right. I digress.
Waste of $37M. Wasn’t worth more than 8/year.
And your day job is?
That’s far more money than I would want to guarantee Barkley, but it’s an awfully fun skill position player group when they’re all on the field.
This man gets it.
this isnt what the eagles needed, they needed secondary lol
Boston Scott isn’t coming back .
As I Giants fan, let me say I hope he is not coming back.
He starts in the Meadowlands game. Keep Barkley off that god-awful surface.
Homie got paid lol
Health is always a question/issue but Saquon behind that line, even without Kelce, and AJ Brown commanding attention on the outside can be lethal.
Barkley did well! More than he was projected to sign for.
Good for Barkley but I have a hard time believing the Eagles are better team now. Losing Kelce and Cox far outweighs this signing.
Apparently Barkley never watched any Eagles games cuz if he did, he would know that he’s not getting any goal line carries, they all go to Hurts via the Tush Push.
Apparently Barkley doesn’t have a fantasy football team.
Dumb. Some GM’s don’t learn.
From Chuck Bednarik to The Fumble to DeSean Jackson and now to signing Barkley … the Philadelphia Eagles torment the football Giants without end.
Devonta smith too.
Seriously Saquan, Philly? I know you’re from there but that feels like a gut punch.
Saquan’s going home. He grew up & went to high school an hour away from Philly.
As I Giants fan I’d rather spend the money on a top offensive lineman. With a top O line any average back looks great
At that price, these two deserve each other LOL
Wait, Giants’ fans have the nerve to talk about overpaying for a player when their own team just traded and signed Brian Burns? And resigning Daniel Jones last year?
Talk about overpaying!