PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles don't typically spend a lot of money on running backs. On the other hand, players like Saquon Barkley aren't available every day.
That's the gist of why Philadelphia went out of its way and agreed to Barkley on a three-year, $37.75 million deal that could be worth up to $46.75 million and includes $26 million fully guaranteed at signing, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
General manager Howie Roseman doesn't have a history of investing heavily in the position: The last time he gave this type of contract to a running back was in 2012 when he signed LeSean McCoy to a five-year, $45 million contract. The Eagles let Miles Sanders enter free agency last offseason after he racked up more than 1,200 yards en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers and the Eagles traded a fourth-round pick to the Detroit Lions for D'Andre Swift, who, like Sanders before him, was a senior. of his rookie contract with a base salary of less than $2 million.
But the calculus is different with Barkley.
The Eagles view him as a multi-threat weapon who excels as a runner, receiver and pass blocker. The numbers back it up: Since he entered the NFL in 2018, Barkley has averaged 98.8 yards from scrimmage per game, fifth-most in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He has rushed for more than 5,200 yards and has more than 2,100 receiving yards with a total of 47 touchdowns in six seasons. He also ranked sixth as a pass blocker among running backs the past two seasons.
Barkley, in other words, has a well-rounded game and is projected to be a three-down back under coach Nick Sirianni and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.
It's not hard to imagine Barkley thriving in this offense, which features top position players like quarterback Jalen Hurts and receivers AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith, and features one of the best offensive lines in football, although the unit lost its star center. Jason Kelce will retire this offseason.
Barkley goes from a Giants offensive line that ranked 31st in run-block win rate last season to an Eagles offensive front that ranked first in the category in 2023. There is an expectation that Barkley, from 27 years old, he feels rejuvenated in the new environment after failing to remain a “Giant for life.”
The measure carries some risk. Barkley has dealt with several lower-body injuries in recent years and has a decent amount of mileage with over 3,700 career snaps and over 1,200 carries.
And it remains to be seen how Moore and Sirianni will keep all the playmakers happy, with only one ball shared by Brown, Smith, tight end Dallas Goedert and Barkley.
However, the positive side is significant. Barkley can add a physical running style that was largely absent last season and help unlock an offense that became stagnant down the stretch. And with a reputation for having a strong character, the expectation is that he will fit into the locker room.
Simply put, Barkley checked enough boxes for the Eagles to step out of their comfort zone and pay the running back big money.
