Saquon Barkley Rumors: Texans Contract Offer to RB That Eagles Had to Outbid Revealed

The Philadelphia Eagles made one of the biggest splashes in free agency this offseason, landing running back Saquon Barkley on a three-year, $37.7 million deal that could potentially be worth up to $46.7, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

But the Birds reportedly had some major competition from the Houston Texans in the quest to sign him.

According to ESPN's Dan Graziano: "From what I'm told, the Texans were offering eight figures per year (and no state income tax) and the Eagles had to go to $13 million annually if they wanted him. His deal is a massive win on a level we really haven't seen for a running back since Christian McCaffrey and Ezekiel Elliott were signing extensions in Carolina and Dallas a few years ago."

The Texans pivoted, trading for veteran Joe Mixon to address their need at running back.

The Eagles are banking on Barkley contributing in both the run and pass games, as the type of dynamic three-down feature back they haven't truly had since LeSean McCoy. That should take some pressure off quarterback Jalen Hurts, who regressed in 2023 after his epic 2022 campaign.

The Eagles, in win-now mode, could afford to use significant resources on the position. And if Barkley provides a similar jolt to the one McCaffrey offered the San Francisco 49ers the past two seasons, he'll be worth every penny.