The Philadelphia Eagles went against a long-standing organizational philosophy during free agency and came out with one of the best running backs available on the market.
Just a year after letting their homegrown player Miles Sanders leave via free agency and after signing a $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers , and with D’Andre Swift playing on the final year of his rookie contract with Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny, the Eagles surprised everyone by signing Saquon Barkley when free agency started.
Barkley’s $37.75 million contract is different from how the Eagles usually spend money on running backs and goes against how the rest of the league has been evaluating the position in recent years.
Eagles' general manager Howie Roseman explained that the inefficiency of the league’s market, combined with Barkley’s explosiveness and versatility, heavily influenced the Eagles' decision to sign him.
“From our point of view, we tried to find out if something is being undervalued,” Howie Roseman, the general manager of Philadelphia, told Adam Schein last week on Mad Dog Sports Radio.
“Is there a way to go against what everyone else is doing? Or maybe you're going the opposite direction? It's hard to find players and people who make a difference, and it's hard to get them at a good cost. Those players cost a lot of money, and we felt there was a chance to get one of those players in Saquon and bring him to the team.”
Are Eagles About to Get The Best of Saquon Barkley?
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Barkley has never run behind an offensive line like the Eagles', which has a consistent dominance, and still managed to average 868 rushing yards and 5.8 rushing touchdowns per season with the New York Giants.
Two years after rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns, Barkley is widely regarded as one of the best running backs in the league..
“The [Eagles’] zone run game will be good for him,” an NFL offensive coach told Heavy. “Like he had last couple of years with the New York Giants. He will be more of a factor in the pass game and should be very productive.
“I think Saquon could be a huge piece for Philly, and add a dimension similar to Christian McCaffrey with the 49ers.”
Roseman and the Eagles hope that Barkley can play a starring role in Philadelphia making a resurgent run to a second Super Bowl in three seasons, and beyond.
Howie Roseman, Eagles Praised for NFL Draft Haul
Roseman and the Eagles have recently developed a reputation as one of the best drafting organizations in the league, and that was bolstered in 2024.
NFL Media’s Bucky Brooks put together a list of his favorite draft classes, and the Eagles’ haul ranked near the top.
Howie Roseman should receive praise for his excellent work during the draft weekend. Brooks comments on the Eagles’ group of new players.After acquiring a promising group of players on both offense and defense, the Eagles stand out in particular for their additions to the defensive backfield. Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, both highly talented, are expected to immediately add value as starting corner and nickel back. They possess the skill and flexibility to cover top receivers all over the field while bolstering the toughness and determination of the Eagles’ defensive backfield.
Roseman and the Eagles were able to focus on improving several defensive positions due in part to their aggressive strategy in free agency, which included making Barkley a key part of the offense.
