Saquon Barkley will not be traded before next week’s trade deadline, sources told NFL Network, putting an end to speculation that the star running back could be on the move with the Philadelphia Eagles trending toward being out of contention.
Barkley, 29, has two years and just over $35 million remaining on his contract with the Eagles, who have had trade talks involving some of their players as general manager Howie Roseman surveys the market to see if he can acquire future draft-pick compensation.
Roseman has a penchant for being active at the trade deadline, though it’s usually in a buying role. This year, with a 2-5 record and injuries to quarterback Jalen Hurts and many others, Roseman has the rare opportunity to operate as a seller.
Still, Roseman and the Eagles believe they still have plenty of talent on the roster to compete in 2027 and beyond. That’s why, according to sources, they’ve made it clear to teams they’re not considering trading Barkley.
There’s also still a chance the Eagles could acquire a player in a trade if the price is right and Roseman sees the player as part of Philadelphia’s long-term plans.
With Barkley off the market, that leaves the Indianapolis Colts‘ Jonathan Taylor as the lone top-tier running back available via trade. Sources have told ESPN and NFL Network the Colts are now open to trading Taylor before the Nov. 10 deadline.
Barkley is slated to play Sunday night against the Washington Commanders despite laboring through only 10 snaps last Monday against the Dallas Cowboys due to a back injury.
Barkley missed practice Wednesday and Thursday but logged a limited session Friday. He had been confident his back injury, which flared up during the loss to Dallas as he was compensating for a pre-existing hamstring injury, wouldn’t keep him out of action.
Barkley isn’t 100%, and this is shaping up to be the first of his three seasons in Philadelphia without a playoff appearance.
“One day I’m not going to be playing football. Whenever that is, I don’t want to look back and be like, ‘I could’ve gave it a chance and I didn’t,'” Barkley told reporters Friday.
“I like playing football. So if I have an opportunity to play, I’m going to try my best to play.”
