PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Saquon Barkley is a Philadelphia Eagle.
Barkley, the former Penn State star and 2015 graduate of Whitehall High School, reached agreement with the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Barkley played his first six seasons in the NFL with the New York Giants, which made him the second overall pick in the NFL Draft in 2018.
"Philadelphia is getting a good one, not only a great player but a first-class person — one that they will be proud to call their own."Brian Gilbert, Barkley's former coach at Whitehall High
The 27-year-old Barkley played high school football for the Whitehall Zephyrs, outside of Allentown, before rushing to national prominence at Penn State, where he was a three time All-Big Ten selection and first-team All-American in 2018.
Barkley rushed for more than 3,800 yards and 43 touchdowns as a Nittany Lion. At Whitehall, under head coach Brian Gilbert, he rushed for 3,646 yards and 63 touchdowns.
"This is very exciting news, not only for Philadelphia but for the Lehigh Valley and Whitehall," said Gilbert. "Philadelphia is getting a good one, not only a great player but a first-class person — one that they will be proud to call their own. Who would have thought the Giants would allow a player like him to go to a division rival?
"And with the retirements of (Jason) Kelce and (Fletcher) Cox, Saquon will provide leadership in the locker room and on the field. This is great news for the Lehigh Valley."
🦅🦅
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) March 11, 2024
Schefter's report, citing unidentified sources, said the deal with the Eagles includes $26 million fully guaranteed and could be worth up to $46.75 million. He reported Barkley’s maximum average-per-year salary of $15.833 million is the second-highest for a running back in NFL history.
Word of the signing came just hours after Eagles' running back D'Andre Swift reportedly signed a free agent deal with the Chicago Bears for $24.5 million, $15.3 million guaranteed.
Barkley played in 14 games with the Giants last season, missing three because of a high ankle sprain. He ran for 962 yards and six touchdowns and had 41 catches, including four TDs.
Since joining the Giants, Barkley has run for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns, and also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 TDs.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
