Eagles Hold Barkley Before Deadline
Philadelphia keeps its star running back on the roster despite a 2-5 record and lingering injury concerns.
By Hugo Konate ·
Saquon Barkley will stay with the Philadelphia Eagles through the Nov. 10 trade deadline. Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the decision on Sunday.
The Eagles are currently 2-5 this season. Barkley returned to the lineup on Monday, finishing with seven carries for 62 yards and a touchdown. However, he is still dealing with a hamstring injury that cost him two games. He also tweaked his back during that Monday game. The team expects him to play in Sunday Night Football against the Washington Commanders.
Trading a 29-year-old player with uncertain health is difficult. The Eagles likely would not receive a strong return at this stage. They have already lost Lane Johnson to retirement and Jalen Hurts to blood clots. The team may prefer to keep Barkley rather than settle for a mid-round pick.
Financial factors also support holding onto the player. Barkley has a cap number of $13.057 million for next season. According to Over The Cap, cutting him before June 1 would create $28.958 million in dead cap money. Trading him before that date would leave $26.458 million in dead cap money. Keeping him is easier on the salary cap.
The Eagles aim to get through the current season and hope Barkley has more left for next year. The deadline arrives in nine days.
Source: WBCB
