For the Philadelphia Eagles, it might be time to start pondering the previously unthinkable.
When the team dealt interior offensive lineman Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens earlier in October, general manager Howie Roseman insisted the team wasn't going into selling mode amid its shifting outlook. It certainly stood to reason that running back Saquon Barkley, the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year around whom this year's reworked offense was built, would be fully off-limits to other teams.
But plenty has changed since that declaration. The Eagles' woes have deepened amid an ongoing four-game losing streak and mounting offensive personnel hits. And with quarterback Jalen Hurts ruled out for the remainder of the season after blood clots were discovered
in his lungs, Philadelphia looks like a severe long shot to compete for a third consecutive NFC East crown.
Could that actually prompt the Eagles to make a more public embrace of a wider reset by trading Barkley?
In all likelihood, the idea figures to remain a long shot. Trading away Barkley, who is set to return Monday against the Dallas Cowboys after missing nearly three full games with a hamstring injury, would be tantamount to shutting down shop for the rest of the season. Even with all of the setbacks the roster has endured, that would be tough to accept for a team that's perpetually been in contention under coach Nick Sirianni. And with moving Barkley triggering a $27 million dead cap hit for an organization already facing a mounting bill, the financial element could be tricky.
But with Roseman having established himself as someone who moves on from veterans a bit earlier than others might, the possibility can't be ruled out entirely. And if the Eagles truly want to maximize their flexibility for both a short- and long-term future that's starting to look drastically different from the team's previous vision, recouping what the organization can with Barkley might be a shrewd move.
If the Eagles do open up the possibility of moving Barkley, here are the best potential fits:
1. Minnesota Vikings
Standing alone as the NFL's last unbeaten team despite its offensive shortcomings, Minnesota has some serious reflecting to do. While Kevin O'Connell surely is holding out hope that things will finally click for QB Kyler Murray, an offense now close to full health still isn't coming together. If the Vikings stand pat, they risk squandering another dominant Brian Flores defense. And given the volatility that the franchise has known under O'Connell and before him - it hasn't enjoyed consecutive playoff appearances since 2008-09 - it can't expect to merely return to prime contender status next fall if this campaign gets derailed.
First-year general manager Nolan Teasley was previously part of a Seattle front office that made a concerted effort to acquire key veterans at the trade deadline. That influence - along with seeing how Kenneth Walker III propelled a shaky offense in the late portion of last season's Super Bowl run - should have the Vikings mulling their options for how they can supercharge a struggling attack. O'Connell was counting on Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason to capitalize on a reconfigured run game setup, but that hasn't happened so far. Now, Jones is dealing with an aggravation of a knee injury he suffered in Week 2. Even if Jones isn't ruled out for the long term, neither he nor Mason can measure up to the competitive advantage that Barkley can offer as someone who changes the arithmetic for opposing defenses.
2. Houston Texans
Just how desperate is Houston to keep trying to claw its way back from an early-season hole? General manager Nick Caserio already acquired wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. in a bid to become just the second NFL team to make the playoffs after starting 0-4, so the Texans might have already made their pre-deadline bold move. But if Caserio and coach DeMeco Ryans are committed to rescuing a 2-5 group, the run game would be a good place to start.
David Montgomery, who has missed the last two games with a groin injury, hasn't panned out as the veteran quick fix designated to revitalize the rushing attack. To compensate for the lack of any consistent threat on the ground, C.J. Stroud has shouldered a disproportionate load in consistently slinging Houston into contention. Barkley could only do so much to cover for a front that still hasn't found its footing, but he could at least provide a threat and open things up more for Stroud and the passing attack. The cost might be prohibitive to a team that is already short on draft capital after giving up its second-rounder in the Harrison deal. But the Texans might have the right level of desperation and incentive needed to get a deal done.
3. Denver Broncos
Prior to Sunday's 30-16 win over the Arizona Cardinals, explosive plays were hard to come by for Denver's offense. Even staying on schedule proved to be difficult, with the early-down struggles exacerbating Bo Nix's woes. Barkley very likely could make a massive difference on both those fronts, thereby helping Denver recapture its status as a prime AFC contender.
Of course, Sean Payton traditionally has had little interest in deploying a bell-cow back. And with the offense finally igniting some big plays and promising rookie Jonah Coleman back from an ankle ailment that landed on injured reserve, Denver might be inclined to push ahead with what it has. But an offense that largely seemed stuck through the first six weeks could surely stand for a bit of a shake-up. No matter the means, getting more out of the ground game seems like a necessity. And while many of Denver's issues in that phase start up front, Barkley still might prove to be a transformative figure, albeit one unlikely for team brass to pursue.
4. Seattle Seahawks
It's a fun thought exercise to imagine Barkley joining the defending champions and immediately changing the complexion of the inert rushing attack. General manager John Schneider has become one of the league's most aggressive trade-deadline buyers, with three weighty acquisitions - defensive lineman Leonard Williams, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and wide receiver Rashid Shaheed - in the last three years.
But with Zach Charbonnet set to make his season debut and first-round pick Jadarian Price "looking at a sooner-rather-than-later return," according to coach Mike Macdonald, Seattle's reinforcements are likely already in the building. The Seahawks also made a distinct calculation to pivot from Walker to Price, so throwing more resources at the position would seem to betray the team's investment strategy.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Could Eagles trade Saquon Barkley? Ranking best team fits for RB
