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 considering behind one of many largest splash strikes of the offseason.
“We’re all the time searching for inefficiencies within the market. And if we predict the league is overvaluing the place or undervaluing a place, we are going to strive our greatest … [to] make the most of these inefficiencies,” Lurie stated. “That is essential as you attempt to maximize the wage cap and the way you allocate assets inside an outlined area.”
The Eagles have pushed in opposition to 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 abilities.
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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 go 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 circumstances, which was additionally a consideration.
“He exhibited a really particular talent set each within the operating and the passing sport that we predict definitely may be maximized by being on a workforce with higher talent positions, quarterback, offensive line,” Lurie stated.
Groups have typically been hesitant to commit huge {dollars} to even a few of the extra productive backs in current seasons, maintaining 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 all 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 this point at this place — I imply, the man touches the ball 300 instances a 12 months, hopefully,” Roseman stated. “There’s not loads of different talent place gamers which might be touching the ball that many instances and having that impact.”
Judging by their feedback, the Eagles expect Barkley to be a central a part of their offense. Then once more, the identical might be stated 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 referred to as the plethora of choices ” downside to have,” although he acknowledged it should require a level of selflessness for the operation to work.
“What’s essential within the technique of a season is that we construct the connection, we construct the workforce, so no matter how a lot they’re consuming, everybody is happy for one another,” Sirianni stated.
