NFL Coaches, Executives Share Insight on Saquon Barkley, Kirk Cousins Mega-deals

Saquon Barkley (Image via IconSportsWire)

Saquon Barkley is coming home to the Keystone State, and walking into an offense tailor-made for the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft to finally reach his generational potential.

Barkley departs the New York Giants, where he became the face of a franchise and the poster child of cautionary tales of spending premium assets on a running back when the roster at large isn’t anywhere close to competing for Super Bowls.

Now, landing in Philadelphia where he’ll collect $37.75 million over the next three seasons, including $26 million fully guaranteed, Barkley is in the unique position of being able to simultaneously cash in, while also going from running behind the NFL’s No. 31 ranked offensive line in terms of run-block-win-rate to the top-ranked in the category.

This isn’t a case of misvaluing running backs by the Eagles but rather identifying a player who can elevate the entire offense around him.

“Their scheme will take advantage of Saquon’s skill set,” Penn State running back coach Ja’Juan Seider, Barkley’s position coach in Happy Valley tells me. “He finally gets an offensive line that will create space for the kid.

“Plus, the defense can’t just load up the box to stop him because of all the playmakers the Eagles have at tight end, wide receiver, and because Jalen Hurts is willing to contribute in the running game.”

Several NFL executives and coaches around the league offered similar insight and perspectives.