PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The Eagles have been very active in free agency and they introduced some of their key free agent signings Thursday afternoon at a press conference, including running back and former Penn State Nittany Lion Saquon Barkley.
The Eagles quickly struck a deal with two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley soon after the negotiation period opened at 12 p.m. EDT. Now reports say the NFL will be looking into possible tampering by the Eagles relating to making direct contact with Barkley prior to the official start of free agency.
This comes after Penn State head coach James Franklin raised some eyebrows by telling a reporter that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman spoke to Barkley and pitched him on the connection between the Eagles and Nittany Lions fan bases.
Teams are permitted to talk directly with agents during the 52-hour negotiating window, but can’t speak to the player unless he has no agent and represents himself.
The Eagles have denied the claims and Barkley said Franklin misinterpreted their conversation.
Barkley tried to set things straight:
“Coach Franklin, I think, kind of misinterpreted. The truth was, the sell pitch — how many Penn State fans are Philadelphia Eagles fans? — but that was through my agent, and my agent told me that.”
The former Penn State star is thrilled he now gets to make plays for the Eagles:
“When it came to my attention that the Eagles were one of the teams that were interested in me, I definitely got excited about it. Obviously, we got everything wrapped up and just put my signature to the paper, but from watching from afar, everything that they're about, the culture here, the fans here, definitely got super excited about it and I'm just happy to be a part of this organization. And I'm ready to go.”
Saquon Barkley rushed for 5,211 yards and made 35 touchdowns in his first six NFL seasons with the New York Giants and is widely considered one of the NFL’s elite running backs, but the 27-year-old says he feels like he still has a lot to prove.
“That's my mindset. I'm always gonna have that mindset every year: How can I get better? How can I improve?” Barkley said. “Go back, watch your little things, learn from my mistakes, learn from the stuff that I did good, and just keep leveling up.
“I feel like that's a mindset that you have to have and I'm gonna continue to have here.”
The Eagles today also introduced edge rusher Bryce Huff, who has emerged as one of the great young pass rushers in the NFL. He had 10 sacks last season for the New York Jets, after compiling 7 ½ in his first three years in the league combined. He talks about what allowed him to break through in 2023.
“Just being consistent as far as my work and my process throughout the week. Really honing in on my opponent's weaknesses, listening to my coaches as far as, like a rush plan, working together with my teammates on the D-line and just like working as a team to beat the opposing offensive line versus just, like winning one on ones.”
Eagles also introduced linebacker Zack Baun who spent his first 4 NFL seasons in New Orleans.