The Philadelphia Eagles will need to address the running back issue this offseason, as D’Andre Swift, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny are all eligible for free agency. Could Philadelphia look to a longtime division rival for an answer?
According to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News, the Eagles are a possible suitor for Saquon Barkley. Barkley spent the first six years of his career with the New York Giants, but the Giants did not designate him as a franchise player for 2024, which means he is eligible for free agency and could sign elsewhere. This is where Philly comes in.
There’s a lot to unpack here, but the most obvious message is that the Eagles are not Barkley’s sole suitor. The Ravens, Raiders, Bears, and Patriots were also named, with more teams expected to emerge in the following weeks.
Would Barkley make sense in Philly?
The Eagles would clearly have competition for Barkley’s services, but it’s fair to wonder if he would even be a logical addition for Philadelphia. He’s obviously a great player, as evidenced by his two Pro Bowl selections. But, Barkley will almost assuredly be looking for a large contract, and the Eagles already have a whole lot of money allocated for offensive skill players.
Investing a significant portion of their limited cap space in a running back may not be the wisest decision for Philadelphia. Spending part of that money on the opposite side of the ball may be a better option. Furthermore, several teams have more cap space than the Eagles.
Finally, there’s a fair likelihood that other teams will be willing to pay Barkley more than the Eagles. That’s not the end of the world for the Eagles, as there will be several more appealing possibilities on the market, including Swift, whom the Eagles should seriously explore re-signing.
