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The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Eagles decided Saquon Barkley was the rare running back they were willing to make a financial splash on -- a move made even more rewarding by prying him away from the NFC East rival Giants.
The Eagles agreed to contracts with Barkley -- long the face of the New York Giants -- and former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff, two people familiar with the deals told The Associated Press on Monday.
Barkley is set to sign a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed and $37.75 million overall, while Huff is getting a three-year deal for $51 million, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because free agents can't officially sign with new teams until Wednesday.
Barkley, who tweeted two eagle emojis on Monday, hit free agency after the Giants elected not to put a franchise tag on the second overall pick in the 2018 draft. The Eagles pounced and made Barkley the highest-paid running back in franchise history, putting him on the short list of biggest free-agent signings with Nick Foles, Jon Runyan and Troy Vincent.
Under general manager Howie Roseman, the Eagles generally have been loathe to use high draft picks or valuable salary cap space on a running back. But he seemed to hint last month at the NFL scouting combine that he could change his mind.
The Eagles have had three different players lead the team in rushing each of the last three years and declined to sign 2023 leader D'Andre Swift. Acquired by Philadelphia in a draft-day trade with Detroit last year, the 25-year-old Swift had his best season. He ran for a career-high 1,049 yards and five touchdowns and made his first Pro Bowl.
The Eagles expect to use Barkley as a three-down workhorse they haven't seen since LeSean McCoy's heyday ended a decade ago.
The Giants used the franchise tag last season on Barkley and eventually worked out a one-year, $10.1 million contract before the start of training camp. A franchise tag this year would have cost the team $12.2 million if Barkley accepted the offer.
Barkley, 27, played in 14 games last season, missing three because of a high ankle sprain. He ran for 962 yards and six touchdowns and had 41 catches, including four TDs.
Since joining the Giants, Barkley has run for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. The Penn State product also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 TDs.
Barkley missed most of the 2020 season after tearing his ACL in the second week of the season.
Falcons
Kirk Cousins is leaving Minnesota for Atlanta. He landed another big contract with a well-timed foray into free agency.
Cousins agreed to a four-year, $180 million deal with $100 million guaranteed, according to a person with knowledge of the terms.
Cousins is working his way back from a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot that sidelined him because of injury for the first time in his 12-year NFL career.
Titans
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A person familiar with the deal says the Tennessee Titans are replacing four-time Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry with Tony Pollard.
They also worked to shore up their secondary Monday, agreeing to a deal with Cincinnati cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. Pollard and the Titans agreed Monday to a $24 million, three-year contract. Awuzie's three-year deal for $36 million includes $23 million guranteed.
Bengals
Cincinnati waived veteran running back Joe Mixon and replaced him with former Colts running back Zach Moss.
Raiders
HENDERSON, Nev. -- The Las Vegas Raiders were busy on the first day NFL teams were allowed to negotiate with free agents. They agreed to contracts Monday with quarterback Gardner Minshew and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins.
Minshew, who started a majority of the Colts games last season, agreed to a two-year, $25 million deal with $15 million guaranteed.
Wilkins, a five-year starter for the Dolphins, has agreed to a four-year, $110 million contract with the Raiders. Agent David Mulugheta says $84.75 million of that will be guaranteed.
Panthers
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers have agreed to terms on a five-year, $100 million contract with free agent guard Robert Hunt that includes $63 million in guaranteed money, two people familiar with the situation told The Associated Press.
The 6-foot-6, 330-pound Hunt started 55 games over the past four seasons with the Dolphins.
NY Giants
A person familiar says the New York Giants have agreed to acquire edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers in a trade for two draft picks.
Burns is getting a five-year contract worth up to $150 million with $87.5 million in guarantees.
Burns, a two-time Pro Bowl pick, will sign his franchise tag to facilitate the deal. Burns becomes the second-highest paid defensive end in NFL history. Burns, who turns 26 next month, had 46 sacks in five seasons in Carolina.
Commanders
WASHINGTON -- The Washington Commanders have agreed to terms with running back Austin Ekeler on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million.
The signing gives the team a one-two backfield punch of Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. The soon-to-be 29-year-old leaves the Los Angeles Chargers after seven seasons and 69 touchdowns. The Commanders are also signing linebacker Frankie Luvu, and two people with familiar with the decision say they've agreed on three-year contracts with defensive end Dorance Armstrong and center Tyler Biadasz.