Saquon Barkley's time with the New York Giants is coming to an end, although they'll still see plenty of him.
The running back is expected to sign with the rival Philadelphia Eagles when free agency opens officially, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported on Monday, per sources.
Barkley's deal will be for three years and $37.75 million, which will place him just behind Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor for one of the richest current contracts for a running back.
The Giants opted not to place the franchise tag on Barkley for a second straight year, which would have cost them $12.1 million. Tagging Barkley in 2023 led to a brief holdout, followed by a revised one-year deal to keep him in New York last season.
Still, the Giants, who added veteran RB Devin Singletary later Monday, appeared to want him back – at their price.
"He's a guy we'd like to have back," Giants GM Joe Schoen told reporters during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine last month in Indianapolis.
Barkley, 27, was effective in 2023, tallying 962 rush yards and six rushing TDs, along with 41 receptions for 280 yards and four TDs in 14 starts in 2023. But it was a step down from his brilliant 2022 season in which he totaled 1,650 yards from scrimmage.
Plus, injuries have marred his career since entering the NFL in 2018 as the No. 2 overall pick in the draft that year. He missed three games last season with an ankle injury, which also affected his 2021 season. Barkley also suffered a torn ACL and MCL in 2020, which limited him to two games that season.
This is now two offseasons in a row where the Eagles have made a major move at running back. Last year, they swung a trade during the 2023 NFL Draft to land D’Andre Swift via trade from the Lions. The Eagles are poised to lose Swift, who is expected to sign with the Bears at the start of free agency.
In 10 games against the Eagles (including a 2022 playoff game in Philadelphia), Barkley has rushed 147 times for 676 yards and six TDs, adding 36 receptions for 271 and one TD. His only two 100-yard rushing games against the Eagles both came in his Offensive Rookie of the Year season in 2018. Now the Giants are set to face their former star at least twice per season.
The move actually brings Barkley slightly closer to his home, having grown up in Coplay, Pa., which is just outside of Allentown -- about an hour from the Eagles' facility. And it adds another star talent to the Eagles' offense alongside Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, assuming Barkley's health doesn't become an issue again.
