Eagles grab quality new RB in Barkley

PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to contracts with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff, two people familiar with the deals told The Associated Press on Monday.

Barkley is set to sign a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed and $37.75 million overall, while Huff is getting a three-year deal for $51 million, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because free agents can’t officially sign with new teams until Wednesday.

Barkley, who tweeted two eagle emojis Monday, hit free agency after the Giants elected not to put a franchise tag on the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

The Giants used the tag last season and eventually worked out a one-year, $10.1 million contract before the start of training camp. A franchise tag this year would have cost the team $12.2 million if Barkley accepted the offer.

Barkley, 27, played in 14 games last season, missing three because of a high ankle sprain. He ran for 962 yards and 6 touchdowns and had 41 catches, including 4 touchdowns.

Since joining the Giants, Barkley has run for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. The Penn State product also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Barkley missed most of the 2020 season after tearing his ACL in the second week of the season. He struggled in 2021 but regained his form the following year, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns in helping the Giants get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Huff, 25, spent the past four seasons with the New York Jets. Huff goes from undrafted to a big pay day after recording a career-best 10 sacks last season. He still needs to develop as a run defender to be more than a pass-rush specialist.

Huff has 17 1/2 career sacks, 65 total tackles and 1 forced fumble in 4 seasons. The arrival of the 6-3, 255-pound pass rusher could signal the end of either Josh Sweat or Haason Reddick’s time in Philadelphia.