NFL’s biggest free agents, Kirk Cousins and Saquon Barkley, have signed with different teams
THE BIG APPLE According to sources who spoke with ESPN’s Adam Schefter, former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley has signed a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal has a potential value of $46.75 million, with $26 million guaranteed at signing.
With this new contract, Barkley’s maximum annual compensation is $15.833 million, making him the second-highest running back in NFL history. This amount surpasses the franchise tag level.
After missing three games due to a high-ankle sprain sustained in Week 2’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals, the two-time Pro Bowl running back returned for the 2018 season with the Giants, but his rushing total of 962 yards and six touchdowns was disappointing.
After failing to secure a long-term deal, Barkley, 27, played last season on an adjusted franchise tag that earned him $10.1 million. At $12.1 million, the Giants decided against re-tagging him this year, allowing him to enter free agency.
According to an ESPN source, Barkley previously stated his desire to remain a “giant for life,” but he rejected a contract offer last season that would have guaranteed him around $23 million.
On social media, Barkley bid farewell to Giants fans.
Thank you to everyone who has shown me love and support over the past 6 years… forever grateful! Excited for the next chapter 💙✌🏾
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) March 11, 2024
Injuries have plagued Barkley’s career after he got off to an explosive start as the NFL’s second overall choice in 2018 (he eventually won Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for a career-best 2,028 yards). In the previous five seasons, he has missed at least three games, with a torn ACL preventing him from playing for the majority of the 2020 season.
During his six years with the New York Giants, Barkley carried for 5,211 yards and scored 35 touchdowns. Two hundred and eighty-plus yards and twelve touchdowns are also part of his stats.
Birds fans in Philadelphia are ecstatic about Barkley’s Linc performance, particularly if it means their divisional rivals will get even more humiliated.
Saquon is that man. According to one fan, he’s difficult.
Whitehall High School football coach and Barkley’s former boss expressed his utmost delight with the decision, telling Action News that it is a homecoming he never imagined possible.
I am finally able to don the sweatshirt that has been on my wish list, and I can also dispose of this one. “Fly, eagles, fly!” exclaimed Brian Gilbert, Barkley’s previous teacher.
While Barkley was a student near Allentown, Pennsylvania, Gilbert coached him. Barkley is now a professional athlete.
The Eagles’ head coach thought this was a brilliant approach. Consider the Eagles’ current arsenal: Jalen, the receiver core. Who will end up with the ball, anyway? From the backfield, Saquon can catch it. In Gilbert’s opinion, the screen game would be perfect for the project.
While playing for Penn State, Barkley was also an outstanding athlete. Gilbert thinks the Eagles and Philadelphia are receiving a special someone because of this.
The city of Philadelphia will also receive an ambassador, not only the Eagles. Whoever “does the city right” was his word.
He went on to say that Barkley can count on the support of the Whitehall community.
“He means a lot to our community—not only him but his whole family,” added Gilbert.
