Why did the Eagles buck their financial history to sign Saquon Barkley? Ask the 49ers

Once upon a time, in October 2022, the San Francisco 49ers traded draft picks in the second, third, fourth and fifth rounds to acquire a player whom they’d still need to pay big money.

This sixth-year pro wasn’t a quarterback. He wasn’t a pass rusher. He wasn’t even, by title or league tracking data, a receiver.

No, the 49ers decided to pony up all that draft capital and money to acquire running back Christian McCaffrey. In this economy.

McCaffrey arrived with an injury history, playing less than half of the team’s games in each of two prior seasons. He arrived, too, with immense upside, as best showcased when he led the NFL in scrimmage yards (2,392) and touchdowns from scrimmage (19) in 2020.

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The 49ers had to ask themselves: Could McCaffrey stay healthy? Could joining a team where he wasn’t the offense but one of many talented pieces in a well-schemed game plan empower him to thrive? What would McCaffrey look like with … a good offensive line?

Two NFC championship game appearances and one Super Bowl berth later, the 49ers feel plenty confident in their All-Pro answer.

And the Philadelphia Eagles have taken notice.

So with McCaffrey’s success squarely on their mind, the Eagles made a splash on Monday. As the league year turns this week, they will finalize a deal with Saquon Barkley.

Does Saquon Barkley make sense with Eagles’ philosophy?

To the NFL world, the move seemed surprising.

This was not a bargain bin move akin to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ cross-state acquisition of quarterback Russell Wilson.

The Eagles are scheduled to pay Barkley $37.75 million across the three-year life of his new contract, including $26 million guaranteed over the next two seasons, a source with knowledge of the deal confirmed to Yahoo Sports. Barkley’s de facto $13 million the next two seasons bests the $12 million per year the Green Bay Packers are giving Josh Jacobs (with $12.5 million guaranteed to Barkley’s $26…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/why-did-the-eagles-buck-their-financial-history-to-sign-saquon-barkley-ask-the-49ers-043734349.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-03-12 04:37:34

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