Let’s get to the Philadelphia Eagles links …
Breaking Down Saquon Barkley’s $41.2M Contract Extension – Over The Cap
Realistically the way to look at this is the Eagles agreed to pay Barkley an additional $6 million over his existing contract with the Eagles taking on the risk of fully guaranteeing his 2026 season now rather than having an ability to release him that year. Given that there are no significant guarantees in the 3rd year of this contract the Eagles would have every ability to renegotiate the contract downward if Barkley’s performance dropped significantly. None of this has the excitement that comes with saying a $20.6M per year running back, but it sounds great for the position and lets the Eagles dominate the news cycle for a few days due to their contract for Barkley even though in the end it is not a massive adjustment from his original contract.
Inside the new Saquon Barkley deal – PFT
The new-money average of $20.6 million is the highest for a running back, ever. No other running back had gotten to $20 million per year. The full guarantee at signing of $36 million is the most ever for a running back. The two-year ($33.5 million) and three-year ($49.5 million) cash flow is the most for any running back in NFL history. With incentives and escalators, the new-money annual average can max out at $25.85 million. Barkley had been due to earn $27.5 million over the next two years, given his salaries and the escalators triggered by his 2024 performance. He’ll now make $33.5 million, fully-guaranteed.
The Saquon Barkley contract is probably bad. So what. – BGN
But so what. The Eagles are defending Super Bowl winners. Every year teams double down on a roster that has no chance. No team has a better chance than the Eagles to win the Super Bowl next year. They’re not locking up the core of a 9 to 11 win team and hoping to catch a break. They’re not locking up an aging roster hoping for a swan song season. This is the best team in the league, and they have a trophy to prove it.
Market Watch – Iggles Blitz
I’m sure part of Howie would love to go get an elite pass rusher, but I just don’t know if the resources and money are worth it for this team. Never say never, as we’ve learned over the years. There are still free agents that can be signed if the team wants to go that route. More importantly, there is a deep, talented draft class of DL. The Eagles are going to have a lot of options. It really comes down to how Howie wants to address the roster holes. It is interesting to see teams making cuts like this. They are creating cap space, but this isn’t a compelling free agent class. Is this just teams trying to save money? Do teams just see a really good draft class and want younger/cheaper options? The Eagles are benefiting from these players becoming available. It gives them more options. You can bet Howie and his staff knew most, if not all, of these guys would get cut. They have reports on the players and know which guys are worth talking to. This is a crazy time of the year for players and agent so nothing may happen until next week. Because Howie has drafted so well, the Eagles have plenty of young DL. Age isn’t a critical factor for them. They can add older players if they want without having to worry about getting too old. The Eagles can focus on adding the players they think are the best fit. Cost is important, of course.
Eagles free agent hasn’t gotten any offseason interest from Philadelphia: ‘Not part of the plan’ – NJ.com
Defensive tackle Milton Williams was one of the Eagles’ best defensive players this past season and helped them win a Super Bowl, but it doesn’t appear like the free agent will be a part of their future. Williams has not been in touch with the Eagles this offseason and there is little chance he will return to Philadelphia, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation. “I don’t think so. He’s not part of the plan with the Georgia boys,” the person said. In 2025, the Eagles could replace Williams with third-year defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and a draft pick. The Eagles are likely comfortable moving on from Williams because they would rather give contract extensions to defensive tackles Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, both of whom were drafted out of Georgia. The Eagles offered Williams a one-year, $8 million contract before the 2024 season, according to the person. Now, Williams is likely to shatter that offer in free agency.
Agent’s Take: Target prices for 10 intriguing defensive players with expiring contracts, including Josh Sweat – CBS Sports
Josh Sweat. Contract package: $95 million/4 years ($23.75 million per year). Overall guarantees: $75 million. Fully guaranteed at signing: $52.5 million. Sweat took a $6 million pay cut from the three-year, $40 million contract extension, averaging $13,333,333 per year, he signed in 2021. Scheduled to make $16 million in 2024, Sweat lowered his salary to $10 million where $9.5 million was fully guaranteed with the opportunity to earn as much as $13 million total through incentives. Sweat led the Eagles with eight sacks last season. He made a great closing statement with 2.5 sacks and tied his season high with seven quarterback pressures, according to PFF, in Philadelphia’s 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. It’s surely going to take more than the three-year, $51.1 million deal, averaging $17,033,333 per year and worth a maximum of $57.1 million thanks to incentives and salary escalators, the Eagles gave edge rusher Bryce Huff last March as a free agent to keep Sweat in Philadelphia.
Some NFL cap casualties who could interest Eagles in free agency – NBCSP
DT Raekwon Davis: Another DT with a connection to Fangio. Davis played under Fangio in Miami in 2023, which could be a good or bad thing. We know opinions were definitely split on the veteran DC among Dolphins defensive players. Davis (6-7, 325) didn’t really live up to his second-round draft status but in his five-year career has played in 80 games with 48 starts. He doesn’t offer much as a pass rusher with just 2 career sacks but if the Eagles want a Jordan Davis backup, he could be an option.
NFL free agency: Biggest needs for each AFC team – NFL.com
The Super Bowl champs are riding high, having secured extensions for superstar RB Saquon Barkley and breakout LB Zack Baun, but three major pieces are still headed for free agency: DT Milton Williams, edge Josh Sweat and RG Mekhi Becton. Sweat generated 14 pressures in the playoffs, chipping in 2.5 sacks in the Super Bowl, while Williams blossomed under Vic Fangio into one of the league’s best interior pass rushers. Becton also had a resurgent season, shifting to guard with the Eagles after struggling previously as a Jets tackle. It seems likely that Philadelphia will have to replace one or more of these veterans in a cost-friendly manner, as the Eagles have a below-average amount of money to spend and essentially no apparent room to restructure existing contracts. They’ve already decided to part with six-time Pro Bowler Darius Slay and 2022 second-team All-Pro James Bradberry , transactions that could save them $6.5 million against the 2025 cap this summer if both are given the post-June 1 designation. Consequently, Philly should be seeking CB depth. While a third option at WR behind stars A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith would benefit the passing game, the team might not have the financial space to add there. The other pending free agents seem generally expendable.
The Cowboys could be ‘selectively aggressive’ by pursuing recently released veterans – Blogging The Boys
JOEY BOSA: Let me start off by saying this is a big name, which likely means his price tag will take the Cowboys out of the running for pursuing the former Los Angeles Chargers pass rusher. But we are mentioning him due to how highly the Cowboys viewed him coming out of Ohio State in the 2016 NFL draft. Joey Bosa, when healthy, is still one of the better defensive ends in the NFL, but staying healthy has been the main issue for Bosa over the last few years. Since 2022, Bosa has played in just 28 games, racking up 18 sacks and 14 tackles for loss. Bosa primarily plays on the left side which is where DeMarcus Lawrence spent most of his time since Micah Parsons arrived in Dallas. Depending on the money here, the Cowboys could very well make an aggressive push for Bosa, based on his success in the NFL so far, and how they felt about him coming out of Ohio State back in 2016.
‘Nobody should outbid the Giants’ for Aaron Rodgers, says NFL analyst – Big Blue View
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah left no doubt during a recent appearance on the ‘Pat McAfee Show’ that he believes Aaron Rodgers and the New York Giants are a match. “I have not heard the Giants connected with any of the veteran quarterbacks other than Aaron Rodgers,” Jeremiah said. As is common knowledge amongst those who follow the Giants, Jeremiah said “there’s some urgency” with the Giants to win now. “Who’s the win right now quarterback? It’s Aaron Rodgers,” Jeremiah said.
The Washington Commanders release DT Jonathan Allen after finding no trade partners – Hogs Haven
The Washington Commanders couldn’t find a trade partner for Jonathan Allen, and are reportedly releasing him. This move was expected with team’s unlikely to trade picks for the former Pro Bowl defensive tackle. Allen was granted permission to seek a trade, and Washington was talking to other teams about moving their former first round pick. They tried to include him in the trade for WR Deebo Samuel, but the 49ers were looking to dump salary as they prepare to extend QB Brock Purdy.
Titans releasing EDGE Harold Landry – Music City Miracles
Landry was a really good player for this franchise. It’s always sad when you see a guy who has been as good for the team come to an end, but there was just no way they were going to pay him the $17.5 million he was owed this year based on how his production had dropped off. The move will save the team just under $11 million against the cap.
Geno Smith trade grades for Seahawks and Raiders after shocking deal for QB – SB Nation
The changes keep coming for the Seattle Seahawks. Earlier this week the team parted ways with veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett, and granted permission to fellow wideout DK Metcalf to seek a trade. That led to questions over just who Geno Smith might be throwing the ball to next year, beyond Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Well, in an incredible “Friday night news dump” the Seahawks just answered that question. How about Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers? According to multiple reports, the Seahawks are trading Smith to the Raiders for a third-round selection. That gives the Raiders the quarterback they needed to add this offseason while opening up a host of additional questions for Seattle. Let’s hand out some grades.
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