Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, who has been hampered by injury in what has been a hugely disappointing season for Philadelphia, would likely fetch a strong return if the club were to deal him before the November 10 trade deadline. ESPN’s Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport report that is not going to happen, however.
Although the Eagles are 2-5 and without starting quarterback Jalen Hurts for the rest of the year, there is still a chance they could steal the weak NFC East and qualify for the playoffs. Barkley, of course, would be instrumental in that pursuit, though the Eagles’ decision to retain him is not motivated exclusively by their 2026 fortunes. Instead, the team believes it will be competitive in 2027 and beyond, and Barkley is under contract through 2028.
We heard last week that GM Howie Roseman could operate as a buyer and seller at the deadline, and Garafolo and Rapoport confirm the Eagles could look to acquire a player if that player fits into their long-term plans. Contract-year talent like Riq Woolen and Dallas Goedert remain trade candidates, as does Landon Dickerson, even though he, like Barkley, is under club control for two more seasons.
There are a number of teams interested in Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, who has already generated an offer of a second-round pick plus another selection. Despite Barkley’s health struggles this year, one would imagine the three-time Pro Bowler would be similarly marketable. While Eliot Shorr-Parks of 94WIP.com believes the Eagles could look to trade Barkley in the offseason, he does not believe the Garafolo/Rapoport report represents a leverage play. He thinks Roseman genuinely wants to keep Barkley, and he expects him to remain in Philadelphia in 2027 (perhaps on a reworked deal).
Barkley, 29, suffered a hamstring injury in a Week 4 loss to the Rams, which kept him on the sidelines for the remainder of that contest and subsequent defeats to the Jaguars and Panthers. He returned in Week 7 but was limited by a back injury that flared up as he was compensating for the hamstring ailment.
He did impress in his limited action against Dallas, turning seven carries into 62 yards and a score.