Goodbye Saquon, we will miss you. The Eagles though? C’mon man!

Saquon Barkley’s tenure with the New York Giants is at its conclusion, although the team will still have frequent encounters with the running back. According to reports from NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo on Monday, Barkley is expected to sign with the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles when free agency officially commences.

Barkley’s deal with the Eagles is anticipated to be a three-year, $37.75 million contract, placing him just behind Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, and Jonathan Taylor among the most lucrative current contracts for running backs.

The Giants opted against utilizing the franchise tag on Barkley for a second consecutive year, which would have carried a $12.1 million price tag. Tagging Barkley in 2023 led to a brief holdout, followed by a revised one-year agreement to retain him in New York last season.

At 27 years old, Barkley was effective in 2023, accumulating 962 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns, complemented by 41 receptions for 280 yards and four scores in 14 starts. However, this represented a step back from his brilliant 2022 campaign, in which he totaled 1,650 yards from scrimmage. Injuries have plagued Barkley’s career since being selected as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft, including missing three games last season due to an ankle injury that also hampered his 2021 season. He also suffered a torn ACL and MCL in 2020, limiting him to just two games that year.

This marks the second consecutive offseason in which the Eagles have made a significant move at running back. Last year, they orchestrated a trade during the 2023 NFL Draft to acquire D’Andre Swift from the Lions. However, the Eagles are poised to lose Swift, who is expected to sign with the Bears at the onset of free agency.

In 10 games against the Eagles (including a 2022 playoff matchup in Philadelphia), Barkley has rushed 147 times for 676 yards and six touchdowns, adding 36 receptions for 271 yards and one score. His only two 100-yard rushing performances against the Eagles both occurred during 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 hometown of Coplay, Pa., which is located just outside of Allentown – approximately an hour from the Eagles’ facility. It also 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.

By Vincent Quezada

Photo courtesy of Michael Owens/ Getty Image