Congratulation To Philadelphia Eagles As The Announced Their New Signing “Xavier McKinney”.
osing Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles will sting for the New York Giants, and outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux was among the first to react.
Thibodeaux posted on X on Monday, March 11, to express surprise and disappointment. Those sentiments were summed up by the words, “Whyyyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!! I’m happy My brotha tho…..but damn damn damn!!!!!!!!”
Thibodeaux aptly captured the measure of respect Barkley has among his Giants teammates. The post also struck the right note of disappointment Thibodeaux and the rest of the Giants likely feel after losing arguably the most-talented player on the roster to their biggest rival within the NFC East.
A “big push” from the Eagles to sign Barkley was widely expected from many around the league. Especially after the Giants opted against using the franchise tag to secure the two-time Pro-Bowl running back’s services for another year.
Things came to fruition when ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed the Eagles gave Barkley a “three-year, $37.75 million contract that could be worth up to $46.75M and includes $26M fully guaranteed at signing” on Monday.
Even if Barkley’s exit was inevitable, having to stop him twice a season will be a weird and daunting challenge for Thibodeaux and Big Blue’s defense.
Xavier McKinney will not be joining Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia.
The former New York Giants safety is instead signing with the Green Bay Packers, according to a report from NFL insider Adam Schefter. The four-year contract is said to be worth $68 million.
Multiple reports indicated the Eagles were serious bidders for McKinney’s services. There was also thought that Philly might especially appeal to McKinney due to his friendship with Jalen Hurts (as pointed out by my BGN Radio co-host Jimmy Kempski).
But the Eagles will now need to look elsewhere for safety help.
The good news is that there are still a number of options available to them in free agency. Players currently still available include, but are not necessary limited to, the likes of Justin Simmons, C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Kamren Curl, Geno Stone, Quandre Diggs, Eddie Jackson, Jeremy Chinn, and so on.
It’ll be interesting to see what the Eagles do now that McKinney is off the board.
Kirk Cousins and Saquon Barkley, two of pro football’s best known players at their positions, flew the coop on Monday for the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles, respectively, jolting the normally staid NFL offseason.
Cousins, thefifth-leading passer of all active quarterbacks, has left the Minnesota Vikings and agreed to a four-year deal with the Falcons, his agent Mike McCartney said.
Cousins, 35, had spent six seasons in Minnesota, following six campaigns with the franchise now known as the Washington Commanders.
The NFL’s 2024 schedule has not been announced, but each team knows who they’ll be playing this fall. The Falcons, by coincidence, are set to visit the Vikings this season.
The 27-year-old Barkley was the No. 2 overall pick of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Penn State.
He rushed for a single-season, career high of 1,312 yards on 4.4 yards per carry in 2022, helping Big Blue to a 9-7-1 mark and an unexpected playoff appearance.
Barkley and New York both slumped this past season as he ran for 962 yards and a 3.9 average while the Giants fell to 6-11. But he was still a valuable prize on the free agent market, particularly down the road in Philadelphia which quickly filled a need.
Barkley’s announcement came hours after the Eagles lost their top rusher as Philadelphia native D’Andre Swift bolted for the Chicago Bears.
As rivals in the NFC East, the Eagles and Giants will meet twice this upcoming season.
It’s been just four weeks since the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 25-22, in Las Vegas to capture their second consecutive Super Bowl title and third championship in five years.
