PHILADELPHIA — The league’s collective reluctance to pay working backs performed closely into the Philadelphia Eagles’ choice to signal Saquon Barkley to a three-year, $37.75 million contract in free company.
That grew to become clear on the league conferences in Orlando, the place CEO Jeffrey Lurie and common supervisor Howie Roseman make clear the pondering behind one of many largest splash strikes of the offseason.
“We’re at all times searching for inefficiencies within the market. And if we expect the league is overvaluing the place or undervaluing a place, we are going to attempt our greatest … [to] benefit from these inefficiencies,” Lurie stated. “That is essential as you attempt to maximize the wage cap and the way you allocate sources inside an outlined area.”
The Eagles have pushed towards the concept that 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 skills.
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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 cross 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 situations, which was additionally a consideration.
“He exhibited a really particular talent set each within the working and the passing sport that we expect actually may be maximized by being on a workforce with higher talent positions, quarterback, offensive line,” Lurie stated.
Groups have typically been hesitant to commit large {dollars} to even among 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 working 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 considered one of 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 thus far at this place — I imply, the man touches the ball 300 occasions a 12 months, hopefully,” Roseman stated. “There’s not quite a lot of different talent place gamers which might be touching the ball that many occasions and having that impact.”
Judging by their feedback, the Eagles predict 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 “a great drawback to have,” although he acknowledged it will require a level of selflessness for the operation to work.
“What’s essential within the strategy of a season is that we construct the connection, we construct the workforce, so no matter how a lot they’re consuming, everybody is worked up for one another,” Sirianni stated.
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