Allegations of tampering have surfaced days after Saquon Barkley decided to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles
instead of the Giants. According to a story titled “How Penn State Helped Bring Saquon Barkley to Philadelphia” on
Sports Illustrated’s All Penn State FanNation website, general manager of the Eagles Howie Roseman pitched
Barkley on the proximity of Philadelphia and Penn State, his alma mater.
Penn State coach James Franklin stated in the article, “He said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him
on the phone as part of his sales pitch.” In addition to the Philadelphia Eagles, there’s the relationship with Penn
State and the support system. Thus, it’s just a really awesome chance.
The Eagles have refuted that this communication had place, according to a team representative. Teams can speak
with agents directly during the 52-hour pre-free-agency bargaining window. They are not allowed to get in touch
with a player, though, unless the player represents themselves and doesn’t have an agency. This rule has severe
consequences for breaking it.
For instance, the Chiefs were fined by the NFL for inappropriate communication with former Eagles wideout Jeremy
Maclin in 2016 that resulted in the Chiefs being selected in the third round in 2016 and the sixth round in 2017. A
$250,000 fine was also imposed on the Chiefs. General manager John Dorsey was fined $25,000, and coach Andy
Reid was penalized $75,000.
In the event that it is discovered that the Eagles had communication with Barkley directly during this time, they will
probably be subject to a similar punishment. But there needs to be a lot of evidence to support the claim that the
former running back for the New York Giants was in fact in close communication with him. Barkley and the Eagles
agreed to a $37.75 million, three-year contract. He amassed 1,242 yards in 2023 through receiving and running,
scoring 10 touchdowns in 14 games.
