Eagles

NFL Finds Eagles Didn’t Tamper To Sign RB Saquon Barkley

June 13, 2024

The NFL has informed the Eagles that its investigation did not find enough evidence to support allegations that the team tampered with RB Saquon Barkley in free agency, per Tom Pelissero.

In a statement, the league said they interviewed Eagles GM Howie Roseman, HC Nick Sirianni, Barkley and Penn State HC James Franklin, as well as reviewing other documents.

“In coming to this conclusion, the league reviewed phone logs, text messages and other documents related to Philadelphia’s free agency strategy and decision to sign Barkley. The NFL also interviewed several members of the organization, including Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni, as well as Barkley and Penn State head coach James Franklin. As with every review, should new evidence be uncovered, the league may reopen the investigation.”

The investigation was sparked by comments from Franklin,who mentioned Roseman talked directly with Barkley during the legal tampering period, which isn’t allowed unless the player is their own agent.

“For him now to come back and be able to play within the state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him was not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well,” said Franklin, via Tim McManus.

However, the league has cleared the team of wrongdoing for now and will not discipline them with a fine or loss of draft picks.

Barkley, 27, was the second-overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. He was entering the fourth year of a four-year, $31.19 million rookie deal with the Giants that included a $20.767 million signing bonus when the Giants picked up his fifth-year option.

Barkley’s fifth-year option cost the Giants $7.22 million fully guaranteed for the 2022 season. He was set to be an unrestricted free agent in 2023 when he was franchised at a sum of $10.09 million fully guaranteed.

The Giants allowed Barkley to walk in 2023 and he signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles.

In 2023, Barkley appeared in 14 games for the Giants and rushed for 962 yards on 247 attempts with six rushing touchdowns to go along with 41 receptions on 60 targets for 280 yards receiving and four touchdowns.