Pro Football Rumors
Quickly revealing the Chiefs’ tightrope walk toward a threepeat would not go the distance in Super Bowl LIX, last year’s Eagles edition cemented itself among the great modern-era NFL teams. In terms of roster strength, the 2024 Eagles proved they belonged in the conversation with the century’s best squads.
After entering last season with questions stemming from a 2023 collapse, the Eagles used a savvy offseason blueprint to assemble a force that submitted one of the great peaks in NFL history. The defending champions passed on paying some starters from last year’s outfit while using this offseason to lock down some crucial cogs as well. A similar Philly roster will attempt to run it back, and the team will enter the season as the clear frontrunner to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX.
As the RB market reached rough waters exiting 2023, Roseman saw an opportunity. The Eagles landed an elite back at a reasonable price, and Roseman received deserved credit for acquiring an ultra-talented RB at a second-tier price. The six-year Giant proceeded to deliver one of the best seasons in the position’s history, going from an injury-prone player who did not have a realistic Hall of Fame case to one that has at least approached the conversation.
Barkley was on track to break Eric Dickerson‘s hallowed rushing record, before being rested in Week 18, but he did eclipse Terrell Davis‘ mark for most rush yards in a season (counting playoffs). The 1998 MVP had totaled 2,476 yards between the regular season and the Broncos’ three playoff games that year; Barkley followed his 2,005-yard regular season with 499 more in the playoffs to eclipse Davis’ mark.
It did come in one more game, as the Eagles were sent to the wild-card round as the No. 2 seed, but the upgrade from D’Andre Swift to Barkley played a lead role in Philly’s championship surge. Barkley’s 205 yards against the Rams were certainly needed to eliminate them.
The Eagles had Barkley signed through 2026 via their three-year, $37.75MM ($26MM guaranteed) contract, but the team rewarded its most talented player with a market-resetting payday. Barkley became the first running back to cross the $20MM-per-year barrier.
This second payday in two years brings a stark contrast to Barkley’s New York exit, as the Giants did not make an offer to retain him. Barkley’s success did not bode well for HBO’s chances of seeing a second Hard Knocks: Offseason effort come to pass, and he managed to score a monster payday at 28 despite missing chunks of four seasons previously.
Although this looks great for one of the RB position’s top earners, the Eagles are taking a risk based on Barkley’s past. The former Offensive...
