Philadelphia Eagles to sign ex-Giants RB Saquon Barkley to 3-year deal, ESPN sources say

PHILADELPHIA — Former New York Giants R.B. Saquon Barkley reached an agreement with Philadelphia Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million deal that could be worth up to $46.75 million and includes $26 million fully guaranteed at signing, sources tell ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Barkley now surpasses the franchise tag number and has an average maximum salary per year of $15.833 million, which would be the second-highest for a RB in NFL history.

The two-time Pro Bowl running back rushed for just 962 yards and six touchdowns for the Giants last season, missing three games with a high ankle sprain suffered in a Week 2 win over the Giants. Arizona Cardinals.

Barkley, 27, played last season on a tight franchise tag that netted him $10.1 million after the two sides failed to reach a long-term deal. The Giants eventually decided not to use the tag again this year for $12.1 million, allowing him to hit free agency.

He had repeatedly expressed his desire to be a “Lifelong Giant,” but Barkley turned down an offer last season that would have guaranteed him approximately $23 million, a source told ESPN.

Barkley said goodbye to Giants fans on social media.

After the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft got off to an electric start with a career-high 2,028 total yards to earn Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, Barkley's career has been marred by injuries. He has missed at least three games in four of the last five seasons, including most of the 2020 campaign due to a torn ACL.

Barkley has rushed for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns in his six seasons with the Giants. He also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

In Philadelphia, Birds fans said they were excited about Barkley playing for the Linc, especially if it meant rubbing salt in the wound of their division rivals.

“Saquon is that guy. He's tough,” one fan commented.

No one is more excited about the move than Barkley's former football coach at Whitehall High School, who told Action News this is a homecoming he could never have dreamed of.

“I can get rid of this sweatshirt and I can start wearing the sweatshirt I really wanted to wear all this time. Fly, Eagles, Fly!” said former Barkley coach Brian Gilbert.

Gilbert coached Barkley while the now-professional athlete was a student living near Allentown, Pennsylvania.

The coach said this was a great move for the Eagles.

“You think about the weapons the Eagles already have: the receiving core, Jalen. You know, who's going to get the ball? Saquon can catch it out of the backfield. I see the screen game fitting perfectly,” Gilbert said. .

Barkley also stood out on the field at Penn State. That's why Gilbert believes the Eagles and Philadelphia as a whole will have someone special.

“Not just the Eagles, but the city of Philadelphia will have an ambassador. Someone who will do good for the city,” he said.

He also said the Whitehall community will rally behind Barkley.

“He means a lot to our community, not only to himself but to his entire family,” Gilbert said.

ESPN's Jordan Raanan contributed to this report.