Philadelphia Eagles have reached free-agent deals with Saquon Barkley and Bryce Huff
The Philadelphia Eagles made a significant move by choosing to invest in Saquon Barkley, recognizing his exceptional talent as a running back. Their decision was even more satisfying as they were able to acquire Barkley from their NFC East rival, the Giants.
The Philadelphia Eagles have finalized deals with Saquon Barkley, a well-known figure from the New York Giants, and Bryce Huff, a former defensive end for the New York Jets. This information comes from sources familiar with the agreements, as reported by The Associated Press on Monday.
Barkley is poised to sign a three-year contract with the Eagles, guaranteeing him $26 million and totaling $37.75 million. Huff, on the other hand, will secure a three-year deal worth $51 million. These figures were disclosed by sources speaking to the AP, though formal signings are slated for Wednesday.
Barkley hinted at his move by tweeting two eagle emojis on Monday. Following the Giants’ decision not to use the franchise tag on him, despite being the second overall pick in the 2018 draft, Barkley became a free agent. The Eagles wasted no time and secured Barkley with a significant contract, making him the highest-paid running back in their history. This places Barkley alongside notable free-agent signings for the Eagles, such as Nick Foles, Jon Runyan, and Troy Vincent.
The Eagles, guided by general manager Howie Roseman, have typically refrained from investing high draft picks or significant salary cap space on running backs. Yet, Roseman hinted during last month’s NFL scouting combine that a change in this approach could be on the horizon.
In the past three years, the Eagles have had a different player leading their rushing each season. However, they chose not to re-sign D’Andre Swift, who led the team in rushing in 2023. Swift, aged 25, had his best season after being traded to Philadelphia from Detroit last year. He racked up 1,049 rushing yards and scored five touchdowns, earning his first Pro Bowl selection.
The Eagles are banking on Barkley to fill the role of their primary running back, similar to LeSean McCoy in the past. Adding Barkley is expected to strengthen their offense further, which was already formidable with players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert.
Last season, the Giants placed the franchise tag on Barkley and later signed him to a one-year contract worth $10.1 million before training camp began. If they had used the franchise tag again this year, it would have cost the team $12.2 million.
Last season, Barkley, aged 27, appeared in 14 games, sitting out three due to a high ankle sprain. During this time, he rushed for 962 yards and scored six touchdowns, while also making 41 catches, including four for touchdowns.
Since joining the Giants, Barkley has accumulated 5,211 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. Additionally, he has caught 288 passes for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Following a knee injury in 2020, Barkley was sidelined for much of the season. Although he faced challenges in 2021, he bounced back in 2022, aiding the Giants in reaching the playoffs. During this successful season, he rushed for 1,312 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Barkley also participated in two playoff games in 2022.
The Giants are short on running backs since Barkley left. They’ve picked up Huff, a 25-year-old who played for the Jets before. Last season, he got 10 sacks and scored a big contract. But he’s still working on stopping the run better, not just rushing the quarterback.
The Philadelphia Eagles are set to welcome a new player named Huff. Known for his knack for sacking quarterbacks and making tackles, he brings valuable skills to the team. However, his arrival might lead to reduced playing time for either Josh Sweat or Haason Reddick, both already part of the Eagles roster. Despite the impending move, Huff hasn’t officially confirmed his transfer on social media, though he did express gratitude to his former team, the New York Jets.
The Philadelphia Eagles made significant moves in their team lineup. They secured Landon Dickerson, a standout guard, with a four-year extension, reinforcing their offensive line following Jason Kelce’s retirement. On the defensive side, Fletcher Cox, a six-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, announced his retirement over the weekend. However, Brandon Graham, a defensive end, returned to the team on a one-year contract, offering valuable experience and leadership. These changes mark important shifts for the Eagles’ roster.