PHILADELPHIA — The league’s collective reluctance to pay operating backs performed closely into the Philadelphia Eagles’ resolution to signal Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract in free company.
That turned clear on the league conferences in Orlando, the place CEO Jeffrey Lurie and basic supervisor Howie Roseman make clear the pondering behind one of many greatest splash strikes of the offseason.
“We’re all the time on the lookout for inefficiencies within the market. And if we expect the league is overvaluing the place or undervaluing a place, we are going to attempt our greatest … [to] reap the benefits of these inefficiencies,” Lurie mentioned. “That is necessary as you attempt to maximize the wage cap and the way you allocate sources inside an outlined house.”
The Eagles have pushed towards the concept this was an out-of-character transfer, citing the profitable extension they gave LeSean McCoy in 2012 and Brian Westbrook earlier than him. However these signings occurred over a decade in the past, and each with homegrown skills.
Lurie emphasised that they aren’t averse to paying backs, they’re simply cautious about it, committing solely to dynamic gamers in each the run and cross sport.
Barkley rushed for over 5,200 yards over six seasons with the New York Giants and added 288 catches for two,100 yards. He did so in less-than-ideal situations, which was additionally a consideration.
“He exhibited a really particular ability set each within the operating and the passing sport that we expect definitely could be maximized by being on a group with higher ability positions, quarterback, offensive line,” Lurie mentioned.
Groups have usually been hesitant to commit huge {dollars} to even among the extra productive backs in current seasons, conserving the wage inflation low in comparison with different positions. The highest-paid again within the league, Christian McCaffrey, makes $16 million a 12 months on common. There are a complete of simply six operating backs making greater than $10 million a 12 months together with Barkley at $13 million.
In the meantime, the highest NFL receiver, Tyreek Hill, nets $30 million a 12 months. He is one in every of 16 gamers that’s north of $20 million per season on common whereas one other 13 gamers are at $10 million or extra, together with some that are not the first receiving choice on their squad.
“Has the pendulum swung to date at this place — I imply, the man touches the ball 300 instances a 12 months, hopefully,” Roseman mentioned. “There’s not a number of different ability place gamers which might be touching the ball that many instances and having that impact.”
Judging by their feedback, the Eagles predict Barkley to be a central a part of their offense. Then once more, the identical may very well be mentioned for quarterback Jalen Hurts and his potent receiving choices in A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and tight finish Dallas Goedert.
Coach Nick Sirianni predictably known as the plethora of choices ” downside to have,” although he acknowledged it’ll require a level of selflessness for the operation to work.
“What’s necessary within the strategy of a season is that we construct the connection, we construct the group, so no matter how a lot they’re consuming, everybody is worked up for one another,” Sirianni mentioned.
