Barkley jukes tampering accusations
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The Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA -- Saquon Barkley was already set this week to visit Happy Valley and catch up with his old Penn State coach, James Franklin. Barkley says now he might have to give Franklin a hard time for getting the Philadelphia Eagles in hot water with the NFL before the new running back had even signed a contract.
Franklin said ahead of Penn State's pro day that Eagles general manager Howie Roseman spoke to Barkley and pitched him on the connection between the Eagles and Nittany Lions fan bases as just one reason to leave the rival New York Giants for Philadelphia.
That's an NFL no-no.
The NFL is reviewing if the Eagles violated tampering policies during the legal tampering window, a league spokesman said Thursday. The Eagles have denied the claims.
Barkley says there's nothing to see here.
The 27-year-old running back -- who signed a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed -- said on Thursday that Franklin "misinterpreted" the interaction. Barkley said every piece of information during negotiations came through his agent.
In case the NFL starts poking around Penn State, Barkley wants to clear up any confusion when he visits with Franklin at pro day on Friday.
"I guess we'll have that conversation," Barkley said, laughing.
Barkley and linebackers Bryce Huff and Zack Baun were introduced Thursday at the team's complex, three free-agent additions that were part of a rapid roster overhaul in the wake of the Eagles' late-season collapse. Safety C. J. Gardner-Johnson is back a year after the team let him walk away in free agency. Wide receiver DeVante Parker will receive a $4.69 million guarantee in his one-year deal, and the Eagles also signed offensive lineman Matt Hennessy.
The Eagles also agreed to a one-year deal worth $7.5 million with former Tampa Bay linebacker Devin White, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract had not been finalized.
Also, kicker Jake Elliott, two-time Pro Bowl guard Landon Dickerson and defensive end Brandon Graham all signed deals that will keep them with the Eagles.
Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox retired and left the Eagles with just four players remaining from the 2017 Super Bowl season.
So what do all the million-dollar paydays mean? Even with all the moves, the Eagles are $39.9 million under the salary cap, per Overthecap.com. The website did not yet include Huff's deal, which is for $51 million over three years, or White's.
Barkley, a three-time 1,000-yard rusher, was the centerpiece of all the big-contract action designed to win the Eagles another one.