NFC East Rival Just Gifted Eagles Perfect D'Andre Swift Replacement

The Philadelphia Eagles could be in the market for a new starting running back this offseason, as D’Andre Swift will be an unrestricted free agent. 

Swift is coming off an outstanding 2023 season with the Eagles, where he ran for a career-high 1,049 yards on 229 carries and five touchdowns. The Philadelphia native wasn’t a major factor in the Eagles’ passing game last season, but he proved to the NFL that he can stay healthy.

With Swift having a career year on the ground and only 25 years old, he’ll have multiple teams interested in his services. If Swift decides to go elsewhere, the Eagles must have a backup plan for the running back position.

The good news for Philadelphia is that there are a ton of quality free-agent running backs who would love to play with star quarterback Jalen Hurts. One running back, who has faced the Eagles multiple times over his career, was notified that his current team will not keep him.

Eagles Rumors: Saquon Barkley a Perfect Free Agent Fit?

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday that the New York Giants are not placing the franchise tag on star running back Saquon Barkley. With Barkley not getting the tag, he will be a free agent for the first time in his career.

Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News reported that the Eagles and six other teams across the league are viewed as “primary potential suitors who have the resources, need, and interest to possibly sign Saquon Barkley.”

It doesn’t come as a surprise to see the Eagles in the mix for Barkley, as he would fit in perfectly with what the team likes in a starting running back. 

The former Penn State standout is a weapon in the running and passing game. In 2023 with the Giants, Barkley recorded 1,242 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns. 

Barkley’s rushing yards went down from a career-high 1,312 in 2022 to 962 this past season, but he played behind an underwhelming Giants offense. 

If he were to come to Philadelphia, Barkley would be playing behind one of the better O-lines in football and wouldn’t have to worry about defenses putting 7 to 8 guys in the box. However, we also know that the Eagles will not spend a ton of money on the running back spot. ‘

Spotrac projects Barkley to get a three-year, $29.9 million contract in free agency, which may be too rich for the Eagles’ wallet as they have other needs to fill on the roster. 

At the same time, if we stay in the land of hypotheticals, Barkley would make Philadelphia’s offense unstoppable and make the same impact that Christian McCaffrey has made with the San Francisco 49ers.

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