The Eagles’ 2024-2025 season was nothing short of excellent, having one of the most dominant Super Bowl wins in NFL history, beating the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a rematch of Super Bowl 57. Quarterback Jalen Hurts would win Super Bowl MVP and cap off a great playoff run, throwing for 304 yards, one passing touchdown and three rushing touchdowns. Philadelphia had one of the most talented football teams in history, led by a 2,000-yard rushing season from newly signed running back Saquon Barkley, who won Offensive Player of the Year. The team also had a dominant defensive season with 41 sacks and 26 turnovers.

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Philadelphia would enter the offseason needing to keep its key pieces of its Super Bowl run together. They would extend three key players: left tackle Lane Johnson, linebacker Zack Baun and running back Barkley. The Eagles also would sign two new pass rushers, Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, to add to their dominant pass rush. They would also sign other players inlcuding running back A.J. Dillon, linebacker Patrick Johnson and cornerback Adoree’ Jackson.

The offseason saw the Eagles having to let go of a lot of their roster, including safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who they would trade to the Texans after having six interceptions last season. They also lost starting guard Mekhi Becton, who was a star on the Eagles’ elite offensive line last year. Other names the Eagles lost this offseason included cornerback Darius Slay, defensive end Josh Sweat, defensive lineman Milton Williams, running back Kenneth Gainwell, quarterback Kenny Pickett and wide receiver Paris Campbell.

The Eagles draft added to their already talented defense, drafting linebacker Jihad Campbell out of Alabama with the 31st overall pick. Campbell had 117 tackles last season and will add versatility to the Eagles’ defense. They also drafted safety Andrew Mukuba out of Texas in the second round, defensive tackle Ty Robinson out of Nebraska in the fourth round and cornerback Mac McWilliams out of Central Florida in the fifth round.

The Eagles will be circled on every team’s schedule this season as the defending champions. The Eagles have the fourth most-challenging schedule in the NFL, according to Fox Sports, this season in a very competitive NFC and NFC East division. The Eagles open the season with the first NFL regular-season game against a division rival, the Dallas Cowboys, at home, where they won twice last season. They follow that up with the Super Bowl rematch in week two vs the Chiefs in Kansas City. The Eagles will face a challenge almost every week this season, playing 10 playoff teams from last season, including the Packers, Rams, and Commanders, whom they all beat on their way to the Super Bowl last season.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES SCHEDULE & TICKET DEALS

• Week 1: Sept. 4 vs. Dallas Cowboys (NFL Kickoff Game, Thursday Night Football)
• Week 2: Sept. 14 at Kansas City Chiefs
• Week 3: Sept. 21 vs. Los Angeles Rams
• Week 4: Sept. 28 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Week 5: Oct. 5 vs. Denver Broncos
• Week 6: Oct. 9 at New York Giants (Thursday Night Football)
• Week 7: Oct. 19 at Minnesota Vikings
• Week 8: Oct. 26 vs. New York Giants
• Week 9: Bye Week
• Week 10: Nov. 10 at Green Bay Packers (Monday Night Football)
• Week 11: Nov. 16 vs. Detroit Lions (Sunday Night Football)
• Week 12: Nov. 23 at Dallas Cowboys
• Week 13: Nov. 28 vs. Chicago Bears (Black Friday Friday Night Football)
• Week 14: Dec. 8 at Los Angeles Chargers (Monday Night Football)
• Week 15: Dec. 14 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
• Week 16: Dec. 20 at Washington Commanders (Saturday; time TBD)
• Week 17: Dec. 28 at Buffalo Bills
• Week 18: vs. Washington Commanders (date and time TBD)

Philadelphia Eagles Season/Game Odds

The Eagles are favored to win the Super Bowl again, with odds of +700, and to repeat as NFC Championship winners, with odds of +340. Philadelphia also opens week one as +7 favorites vs the Cowboys in the first game of the NFL season. They are also favored in 15 of their 17 games, with the exceptions being underdogs in week two against the Chiefs and week 17 against the Bills. 

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Nearly two years ago, quarterback Jalen Hurts led his team back to the locker room in silence. The Philadelphia Eagles had given up 17 points in the fourth quarter, losing the Super Bowl to Patrick Mahomes‘ Kansas City Chiefs by three points. And it was unclear, as always, when they would get the opportunity again.

Two years later, the Chiefs have won the last two Super Bowls, and they’re looking to make that three on Sunday. And the Eagles? They’re back, too – and ready to avenge the loss.

“It’s had a great driving force,” Hurts told reporters. “It lit a flame, lit a fire in me, and to have this opportunity again is exactly what you work for.”

Both the Eagles and Hurts have changed dramatically in the meantime. In 2023, Hurts was coming off an MVP contender season, tossing for 3,701 yards and 22 touchdowns and posting a 68.3 QBR. The Eagles’ gameplan in the Super Bowl revolved heavily around him, yielding 300 yards passing in a game where Hurts was also the leading rusher for the Eagles, with 70 yards.

This year has been different. Philadelphia started the year off at 2-2, as Hurts threw four interceptions and dropped five fumbles (three of which were lost). He attempted at least 30 passes in each game.

Then, the Eagles coaching adapted. Star running back Saquon Barkley began getting the ball more and more, Hurts began to attempt around nine fewer passes per game, and the Eagles started winning – ten in a row, in fact.

The Hurts that returns to the Super Bowl in 2025 is more pragmatic and mature than his younger self, citing the struggles he and the team have gone through to return to the big game. And he’s only gotten more motivated to perform in his role – whatever it may be – to help the Eagles win the rematch.

“You’ve got to be able to finish,” Hurts said, “and that’s going to take great focus, a great week of prep this week, putting it all together.”

On Sunday, the contenders for the Super Bowl were set: once again, the Philadelphia Eagles will face the Kansas City Chiefs, as they did in 2022. 

The Philadelphia Eagles played the waiting game as Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders consistently converted on third and fourth downs. Their 18-play, seven-minute opening drive ended with a field goal – a solid opening for the rookie quarterback to start his NFC Championship debut in a tough road environment.

The Eagles answered back with a quick one-play, 18-second drive to take the lead.

Saquon Barkley exploded for a 60-yard touchdown on the Eagles’ first play, finishing with 118 yards and three touchdowns. Jalen Hurts added three rushing TDs as Philadelphia flew into a dominant 55-23 win over the Commanders and into the Super Bowl.

The 55 points set a record for the most scored by any team in a conference championship game since the 1970 merger.

Hurts threw for 246 yards and a touchdown pass. A.J. Brown hauled in six passes for 96 yards and a touchdown, while pretending to toss the NFC championship trophy off a platform. The Eagles, who were 2-2 going into the bye week, set a season-high in points to secure the franchise’s fifth Super Bowl appearance.

Just like Barkley, Daniels delivered several crucial plays, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin that cut the lead to 14-12.

Daniels threw for 255 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, coming up short of becoming the first rookie quarterback to lead a team to the Super Bowl. The Commanders were plagued by four turnovers, including a third-quarter fumble by Austin Ekeler while trailing 34-23.

Hurts clinched the Super Bowl berth with a tush-push touchdown in the fourth quarter. His ninth career postseason rushing score put them up 41-23.

The Commanders’ desperate attempt at another late comeback fell flat when Nolan Smith Jr. sacked Daniels on fourth down in the fourth quarter. Will Shipley relieved Barkley in the blowout, scoring a 2-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 55-23. The “E-A-G-L-E-S! Eagles!” chants erupted.

After losing to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl two years ago, the Eagles now have a shot to win their second title.

Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jared Goff and Saquon Barkley have been named as finalists for the NFL MVP Award. As high-performing quarterbacks on top AFC teams this season, Jackson and Allen will likely vie for the top spot, but Barkley’s 2,000-yard rushing season has put him squarely in the conversation.

Burrow and Goff deserve consideration as finalists, but there are serious obstacles barring them from winning the award. Burrow arguably had the best season of his career, carrying a mediocre Bengals team, but only two players in NFL history have won MVP while missing the playoffs. Goff, on the other hand, successfully led an exciting Lions offense from the pocket, but the team benefitted from a run-heavy scheme.

There was a period in 2024 when it seemed inevitable that Allen would win the award. In Weeks 14 and 15 against the Rams and Lions, the Bills quarterback had two monster games in a row, scoring five times through the air and five times on the ground. Buffalo scored 90 combined points in that span.

Carrying his team through the air and on the ground, many were ready to coronate Allen on the spot. But this moment of clarity dissipated nearly as soon as it arrived, as Jackson began a torrid stretch of his own to end the season. The Ravens quarterback and reigning MVP scored 13 combined touchdowns in the final four games, finishing the regular season with 41 passing scores and just four interceptions, along with 915 rushing yards and another four rushing touchdowns. 

While these two passers dueled in the AFC, culminating in a 27-25 Bills victory in the AFC Divisional Round, Barkley was making his own MVP case as a running back in the NFC. In his first season with the Eagles, he helped bring the team back into Super Bowl contention, rushing for 2,005 yards. Becoming the ninth rusher in NFL history to join the 2,000-yard club earned him a spot as an MVP finalist.

The playoffs don’t have any bearing on the MVP race, but all three players were integral in their teams’ success in the regular season. The Bills and Eagles are in their respective conference championship games this weekend, while the Ravens were eliminated by Buffalo in the most competitive game of the divisional round. 

From a statistical standpoint, all three were overwhelmingly valuable to their teams. Despite already winning two MVPs, Jackson had the best season of his career. Allen’s year, in comparison to previous performances, is more arguable, but it is one of his best in terms of both passing and rushing production. Meanwhile, Barkley took full advantage of a new situation in Philadelphia, proving the value of an entire position at a time when running backs are being undervalued. All three are deserving of the award in one of the most competitive races in recent memory.

Two offensive linemen described Jalen Hurts as “sharp” in his return to practice Wednesday. Hurts has missed the last two weeks after suffering a concussion in Week 16 against the Commanders.

“He looked sharp, I’ll be honest,” offensive tackle Jordan Mailata told NBC Sports. “He looked really sharp, brought a lot of energy. He was out there in short sleeves. I’ve been in his position before with a concussion, and when you miss time, you try and find ways to get back as fast as you can, but I think he did a great job of dealing with that and coming back as sharp as he did today and I thought he had a phenomenal practice.”

Fellow offensive lineman Lane Johnson used the same word to describe Hurts at practice, suggesting that he is prepared for the postseason.

Along with newly acquired running back Saquon Barkley, Hurts helped lead the Eagles back into Super Bowl contention in 2024. After a humiliating collapse and playoff loss against the Buccaneers to end the 2023 season, Philadelphia went 14-3 to earn the second seed this year. Hurts threw for 2,903 yards and 18 touchdowns in 15 starts, proving to be an effective complement to Barkley as the team turned more toward the running game. 

His 2024 season was not without its frustrating moments for Hurts, who was criticized for failing to find wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith at several low points early in the year. His part in the team’s success eventually became undeniable, however, as the Eagles won 10 straight games between October and mid-December. The streak only ended in a 36-33 defeat against the Washington Commanders; the game Hurts exited in the first quarter.

A late quarterback setback often proves deadly for a team’s playoff hopes, as it often leads to a stark momentum shift. That may not be the case this time around, though, as Philadelphia still finished the season strong. If Hurts can regain his form from before the concussion, the team should be able to take down the seventh-seeded Packers in advance. Even if he isn’t quite prepared out of the gate, Barkley figures to play a major role out of the backfield, which could give him more time to adjust.

Two seasons ago, Hurts was crowned an elite franchise quarterback when he took the Eagles to the Super Bowl. People were just as quick to take that title away from him when the team skidded down the stretch last year. With Barkley rushing for 2,000 yards in his first season away from the Giants, Hurts has not taken the lion’s share of credit for the team’s resurgence to this point, but his previous playoff success could make him a priceless asset in the next few weeks.

New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito said Thursday that the team is still recovering in some ways from the departure of running back Saquon Barkley. With the dreadful Giants and playoff-bound Eagles prepare to face off in Week 18, DeVito reflected on what the franchise-defining player meant to the team.

DeVito noted Barkley’s obvious talents, which have resulted in a 2,000-yard rushing season with the Eagles. But the young quarterback spent far more time discussing Barkley’s impact in the locker room. He noted the veteran rusher as one of two strong leaders the team lost in the off-season, along with wide receiver Sterling Shepard.

“Two guys that were among the most vocal leaders on the offense, guys that have played a ton,” DeVito said. “Those two guys meant a tremendous amount, but obviously Saquon is my guy. He kind of helped bring me into this whole role and how everything went down. He was kind of my rock through it all. To see him go and how it went down, it was tough. Obviously, it’s a business as well.”

The Giants made the decision to part ways with Barkley during the off-season, conforming with lazy conventional wisdom. In recent years, many have argued that stars in the backfield are easily replaced and aren’t worth paying. But there’s no running back like Barkley.

New York signed doomed quarterback Daniel Jones to a $120 million extension in 2023, but when its star running back and franchise leader came calling, the team let him walk. The Eagles gave him what he deserved, a three-year, $37.75 million contract. He is now in line to receive MVP votes after rushing for 2,005 yards. He is the ninth rusher to earn 2,000 yards in a season and the first since Derrick Henry in 2020.

Now, Barkley and the Eagles are NFC East Champions and on their way to the playoffs. The Giants have released Jones and can only hope to start over again with a draft pick befitting a 3-13 team. The team can improve to 3-14 in Week 18, but a win out of nowhere against the Colts last week proved that the Giants aren’t tanking intentionally.

With the ultimate revenge game written in the stars for Week 18, Barkley made the surprising decision to decline the opportunity to break Eric Dickerson‘s longtime rushing record against his former team. Doing so would have been twisting the knife in a Giants organization that is likely more than aware of its mistake by now. The merciful move to rest for the playoffs may not pull as many headlines as the alternative, but Barkley’s horizons extend far beyond petty grievances now. He is finally with a contender.

The New York Giants signed wide receiver Allen Robinson on Wednesday, adding yet another player to an already-crowded depth chart at the position. The 30-year-old is coming off a poor season and was released by the Pittsburgh Steelers in early March.

Details of Robinson’s contract are still unknown, but due to the team’s tight cap space, the team is likely taking a short-term flier on the receiver in the hopes of a career revival. In 2023, Robinson caught 34 passes for 280 yards without a touchdown.

Though the Giants have a slew of receivers at their disposal, the team still lacks star power at the position. 2024 sixth-overall pick Malik Nabers is expected to be a key contributor for years to come. Still, beyond him, the team will primarily rely on the likes of Darius Slayton, Wan’Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt.

Slayton, the team’s leading receiver last year, is holding out while he negotiates for a better contract. He had just 50 receptions for 770 yards and four touchdowns last year, as the Giants ranked near the bottom in nearly every offensive statistical category.

When Daniel Jones manages to return from the ACL injury he sustained last year, many of the team’s current problems at receiver may seem overblown. Jones is still questionable about being ready to go by Week 1 but said he is trying hard to make himself available.

“I’m going to focus on my rehab and making sure I’m doing everything I need to do there to get back healthy and get back on the field and then working on what I can do to improve,” Jones said in January.

The Giants made the playoffs in 2022 with a similar roster, but there are far more questions going into 2024. In addition to Jones’ injury, it is also unclear how running back Saquon Barkley’s departure will affect the offense.

The Philadelphia Eagles have denied allegations that general manager Howie Roseman engaged in tampering before the free agency period to communicate with running back Saquon Barkley. The former Giants running back crossed division lines this offseason, signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the rival Eagles earlier this week.

People began accusing the Eagles of illegal communication on Tuesday when Penn State head coach James Franklin gave a statement about Philadelphia’s signing. The coach said that it was meaningful for Barkley, a Penn State alum and Pennsylvania native, to return to his home state but inadvertently caused a scandal.

“For him now to come back and be able to play within the state, in Philadelphia, he said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch to him was not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that but obviously the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well.”

General managers are not allowed to talk directly to players represented by agents during the first 52 hours of free agency, known as the “legal tampering” window. Because Franklin made his comments on Tuesday, it would be impossible for Roseman to have spoken to Barkley without engaging in some form of tampering before the window closed on Wednesday.

In 2016, the Kansas City Chiefs were docked a third-round pick for the same infraction when they were found guilty of tampering to acquire former Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.

Franklin was speaking about a different aspect of Barkley’s signing and could have simply misspoken, but if he did indeed reveal wrongdoing, the Eagles could be fined or lose draft picks. Philadelphia team officials have since denied these claims, explaining to multiple outlets that all contact between Barkley and the team went through his agent. The Giants have not yet reported any grievance to the NFL in response to Franklin’s comments.

Differing from previous years, the NFL is set to have multiple key free-agent running backs in the upcoming offseason, including Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard. All three were franchise-tagged by their respective teams in the 2023 offseason but will test the free agent market this year, despite the value of the running back position swaying in the past few seasons.

Other running backs that will be free agents in the upcoming season are Derrick Henry, Austin Ekeler, D’Andre Swift, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Devin Singletary, Zack Moss, Ezekiel Elliot and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. None of the players are expected to be franchised tagged by their current teams and will all be on the open market in what might be the most talented free agent classes of all time.

Other skill positions, like quarterbacks and receivers, have seen a steady rise in pay over the past few years but the same can’t be said about the running back position. Many of the league’s top quarterbacks are currently making over $50 million a year, while some receivers are netting in close to $25 million a year. But it isn’t the same case for top-ranked running backs, like Christian McCaffrey, who was responsible for 18 touchdowns in 2023 but is only making $16 million a year. With the lower average pay for a running back in the NFL, the players testing the market this year might end up signing for lower than they may have initially expected.

However, the NFL announced that the 2024 salary cap for teams will be 13.6% higher than last year – a record high $255.4 million per team. With that extra cap space teams might try to make room for the running backs set to hit the market, and though the position hasn’t been paid comparatively high in the past few years, one of those players could become the new highest paid running back in the league.

Jonathan Taylor of the Indianapolis Colts was the most recent running back to confirmed to a long term contract, signing in October for $42 million over three years. Taylor was the league’s leading rusher in 2021, but his contract averaging about $14 million a year is the amount this year’s free agents can expect offered by teams. With the value of the running back becoming more and more minimal, some of the players will be signed to larger contracts, but many might be forced down to the second-tier of pay, perhaps making only $2-3 million a year. While the value of the running back continues to change, their pay will do the same, and teams will be able to sign players to shorter, lower paying contracts because of the position’s interchangeability.

The 2024 NFL free agency opens on March 13 at 4 p.m. EST.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley publicly said that he is considering sitting out the 2023 season amid contract disputes with the team. Because the Giants and Barkley failed to reach a long-term agreement before the deadline for franchised players Monday, he will have to play for a $10 million franchise tender if he agrees to play this season.

“My leverage is I could say, ‘F— you’ to the Giants, I could say, ‘F— you to my teammates,” Barkley said on the Money Matters podcast, recorded on July 11. “And be like, ‘You want me to show you my worth? You want me to show you how valuable I am to the team? I won’t show up. I won’t play a down.’ And that’s a play I could use.”

Barkley went on to say that he did not wish to harm his teammates or other team members by sitting out the season, but he also reiterated that he was deeply unhappy with current negotiations.

“Anybody [who] knows me, knows that’s not something I want to do,” Barkley said. “Is it something that’s crossed my mind? I never thought I would ever do that, but now I’m at a point where I’m like, ‘Jesus, I might have to take it to this level.’ Am I prepared to take it to this level? I don’t know.”

Barkley’s dissatisfaction with the Giants is emblematic of unrest among running backs across the league this off-season. Several reports suggest that NFL front offices are attempting to scale back salaries for running backs, arguing that players at the position are replaceable and unnecessary for teams to succeed.

Titans star Derrick Henry, one of the last workhorse backs in the league, echoed Barkley’s frustrations in a response to ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller. Miller argued that running backs should not receive multiple franchise tags and that it would be more cost-effective to draft replacements.

“At this point, just take the RB position out the game then,” Henry said on Twitter. “The ones that want to be great & work as hard as they can to give their all to an organization, just seems like it don’t even matter. I’m with every RB that’s fighting to get what they deserve.”

In 2022, Barkley rushed for 1,312 yards and ten touchdowns, leading the Giants to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

The star running back was franchise tagged earlier this year and if Saquon Barkley is not re-signed by New York before the deadline on July 17, the future with him staying as a Giant could be clouded for this upcoming season.

There is enough time left for a deal to get done between both parties, as the All-Pro has not signed his tag yet. He could play on the franchise tag, which would be $10.1 million this season, as Barkley was the engine that made head coach Brian Daboll‘s offense somewhat overachieve and led them to a playoff berth in 2022, where they won nine games.

But it seems things could go south fast if the movement for a deal doesn’t progress in the coming weeks. The idea of Barkley sitting out the season could be in play but so far, that is something that hasn’t been taken seriously yet.

“That comes up in the conversation if something doesn’t get done by July 17,” said Barkley, who also specified that is not something he’s thought about much yet.

Barkley later added about the entire contract situation: “At the end of the day, it’s all about respect. That is really what it is.”

According to ESPN, the Giants had an offer to Barkley earlier in the year that could’ve been worth close to $14 million per season, but it was turned down. Saquon also said this about being tagged:

“Me getting tagged, was I upset about it? Nobody wants to get tagged,” Barkley said. “To sit here and say I was frustrated, I was mad, I was upset, what really got me upset was the stories that got leaked out and how misleading they were and how untruthful they were.

“I feel it was trying to paint a narrative of me, paint a picture of me that is not even true. Not even close to being the truth.”

Barkley told reporters he believes he’s being perceived as “greedy,” when he does want “respect at the end of the day” and wants to remain in the Big Apple as a Giant. When asked about the negotiation process at his AMPT free youth football camp in Jersey City at Caven Point Field, NJ, he wasn’t sure about his optimism level on a deal getting done and said this process has been “eye-opening.”

“Just come to the reality that this is a business,” Barkley said.

However, the 26-year-old running back does deserve the contract he is projected to get, despite the undervalued position he plays. Barkley returned to 2018-2019 form before the injuries derailed his 2020 and 2021 campaigns, as he finished the 2022 season with 1,312 yards and ten touchdowns on the ground.

The former 2nd overall pick from the 2018 NFL Draft has been the face of Giants football ever since his rookie year, as the running back from Penn State was top five in rushing yards last season and was the leader in total yards for the Gmen by a wide margin with 1,650 and was tied as the reception leader with 57 catches. It would be hard to envision Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen letting a player like this go, even if it was financial, as they paid quarterback Daniel Jones and traded for tight end Darren Waller this offseason to retool the offense for 2023.

“I think they’re open to talking. I’m open to talking,” Barkley said. “I think at the end of the day, if you really break it down and look at it as a whole, there is no rush. There is still time on the table to get to July 17. July 17 is not tomorrow. It’s not in a week. That is how I look at it. Maybe that is the naïve way to look at it, I could be completely wrong. But for me, that’s how I look at it. I could be completely wrong. Hopefully. I trust in the Giants that we could get something done.”

The running market has taken a nose dive this offseason, as former high-pedigree players like Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, and now recently Dalvin Cook are all on the open market with little movement for teams to sign anytime soon. Not to mention the other running backs that got tagged, include Las Vegas Raider’s Josh Jacobs and Dallas Cowboy’s Tony Pollard, only Pollard has signed his franchise tag deal so far.

Jacobs led the league in rushing yards with 1,653 and Pollard, despite coming off an injury that needed offseason surgery, had a breakout season and cracked over 1,000 yards on the ground. Specifically with Jacobs, it would be interesting how it would impact the market if he became available for trade and how it would affect Barkley’s search for a new contract, as he has stated in the past that he doesn’t want to reset the running back market.

“I see [the running back market]. I’m aware of that,” Barkley said. “I feel like I’m more than that. I feel we finally got to a place where we’re a successful team. We got to start winning games, and I was a big part of that.”

Barkley told ESPN’s Adam Schefter his goal remains being “compensated respectfully based on my contributions to the team on the field and in the locker room.”

“I’ve been in talks with the Giants throughout the offseason,” Barkley said. “If at some point there’s a deal that is fair to both sides on the table, I’ll be ready to sign.”

Saquon hasn’t been at the facility at OTAs and won’t plan to attend the mandatory minicamp from Tuesday to Thursday, June 12-15. Official training camp for the Giants begins ten days after the deadline for Saquon to sign the tag on July 27.

Geno Smith has a good chance to win the Comeback Player of the Year Over reward – but it may be a close competition.

Given what was expected this year, the 32-year-old quarterback has been remarkable for the Seattle Seahawks.

Smith has completed 73 percent of his passes so far this season, throwing for 2,199 total yards with 15 touchdowns.

He has averaged a passer rating of 107.2 on the season.

The play of Smith has also helped carry the Seahawks to a 6-3 record and two games ahead of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC West.

And it has put him in a prime position to win Comeback Player of the Year and the is the favorite to do so, according to Las Vegas Sports Betting.

And the reason why Smith makes sense for the award is because of his NFL journey.

Smith first started his NFL career with the New York Jets and was the starting quarterback for the bulk of his two first years there.

Since then, he has been mostly used in a backup role with the New York Giants, Los Angeles Chargers and Seahawks.

However, Smith, last year got a chance to start a few games in absence of Russell Wilson and had a strong showing.

Not thinking Smith was the future, the Seahawks looked like they were starting to rebuild when it traded Wilson.

However, Smith has impressed and might be able to hold steady as the Seahawks’ starter for the next handful of years.

Now keep in mind, he is on the wrong side of 30 – meaning the Seahawks will eventually need to draft or acquire someone who is younger with upside.

But for now, Smith is getting the job done and is poised to win Comeback Player of the Year.

Also, having an impressive comeback season is Saquon Barkley for the New York Giants.

Barkley has struggled to stay on the field with injuries after being drafted second overall pick in the 2018 draft.

But the talent is there.

This year, Barkley has rushed for 779 yards and five touchdowns and is a +150 underdog to win Comeback Player of the Year.

But we are approximately just midway through the season – and there will be plenty of time for both Barkley and Smith to pad the stats.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley made his return to practice. Barkley was activated off the physically unable to perform list and returned for the first time since tearing the ACL in his right knee early last season.

Barkley was practicing with his teammates in a limited capacity this week. The Giants’ practice follows an off-day on Sunday. It was a positive for the running back, who was hoping that he would be back to play Week 1. Barkley now sees it as an opportunity that he has over a month to get ready for the season opener on September 12.

“I guess you can say, with my mindset, I’m definitely hopeful,” Barkley said. “It’s definitely better being able to practice now than later on in camp.”

The running back was still non-committal about being back for the opener despite everything going right for him. This is the cautious approach he and the team have strategically taken over the past few months.

Barkley participated in individual drills and teaching sessions without incident. The running back ran routes for quarterback Daniel Jones and took handoffs behind the first-team offensive line, albeit with no defense.

“As [the medical staff] keeps greenlighting Saquon to do more and more, we’re going to let him do more and more,” Giants coach Joe Judge said.

Judge then spoke about the possibility of having the running back play in a preseason game before a regular season game.

“The thing is, before you get hit in the first [regular] game at full speed when the speed does elevate, we want to go out there and just get you used to the tempo of the game, the pace of the game, get you a catch, get you hit, get the feel of being tackled. That’s natural preparation,” Judge said.

Barkley agreed with what Judge said and was willing to do whatever to help the team.

“One thing for me, I’m all for whatever is going to help the team win,” Barkley said. “If that is the mindset that Coach Judge and Leigh and the training staff believe in, they want to see me get live reps in a preseason game, if they feel that is what I need to do to get myself back for whenever I’m able to come back for my team, then I’m willing to do that.”

Heading into the 2021 NFL season, we have ranked the top players at each position, despite the fact that it is probably way too early to participate in a draft. Still, in examining the top players heading into next year, the top running backs may not be the names you are expecting. Let’s take a look at the top ten running backs that should go off the board of your fantasy football draft. Click on each player to view his individual writeup in the slideshow or click on the link at the bottom of this article to view the entire slideshow from the beginning.

1. Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
2. Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
3. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
4. Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
5. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
6. Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys
7. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
8. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
9. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
10. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers

Click HERE to view the full the slideshow!

Best of the Rest

• 11. James Robinson, JAC / Age: 23 / FA: 2023
• 12. Joe Mixon, CIN / Age: 25 / FA: 2025
• 13. Josh Jacobs, LV / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 14. Miles Sanders, PHI / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 15. D’Andre Swift, DET / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 16. J.K. Dobbins, BAL / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 17. Cam Akers, LAR / Age: 22 / FA: 2024
• 18. David Montgomery, CHI / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 19. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, KC / Age: 22 / FA: 2025
• 20. Antonio Gibson, WAS / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 21. Chris Carson, SEA / Age: 26 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 22. Kareem Hunt, CLE / Age: 26 / FA: 2023
• 23. Myles Gaskin, MIA / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 24. Kenyan Drake, ARI / Age: 27 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 25. Melvin Gordon, DEN / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 26. Raheem Mostert, SF / Age: 29 / FA: 2022
• 27. James Conner, PIT / Age: 26 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 28. Leonard Fournette, TB / Age: 26 / FA: 2021 (UFA)
• 29. Ronald Jones, TB / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 30. David Johnson, HOU / Age: 29 / FA: 2022
• 31. Chase Edmonds, ARI / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 32. Devin Singletary, BUF / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 33. Damien Harris, NE / Age: 24 / FA: 2023
• 34. Nyheim Hines, IND / Age: 24 / FA: 2022
• 35. J.D. McKissic, WAS / Age: 28 / FA: 2022
• 36. Tarik Cohen, CHI / Age: 26 / FA: 2024
• 37. Zack Moss, BUF / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 38. A.J. Dillon, GB / Age: 23 / FA: 2024
• 39. Jeff Wilson Jr., SF / Age: 25 / FA: 2022
• 40. Tony Pollard, DAL / Age: 24 / FA: 2023

It is never too early to start looking at next year’s fantasy football draft. 2021 will be the year of the running back, as I anticipate the first six picks in nearly all formats to be running backs.

1. RB Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers

Although McCaffrey didn’t play in many games over the last couple of seasons, there is no denying his electrifying talent. If I were drafting first in 2021, I wouldn’t hesitate to select the best dual-threat running back in the league. In just three games this season, CMC averaged a ridiculous 30 fantasy points per game. If he had kept that up for the entire season, he would have been the top player in all of fantasy football.

2. RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints

If you owned Kamara this past season, he likely led you to a dominant performance and a fantasy football championship. Although Kamara failed to rush for 1,000 yards, he did amass for 21 rushing and receiving touchdowns, good for first in the NFL. Six of those touchdowns came in championship week when Kamara broke out for 155 rushing yards and a whopping 53.2 fantasy points.

Although the potential departure of Drew Brees will hurt Kamara’s value, particularly in PPR leagues, he is still one of the best dual threat backs in the NFL and will be a top-two pick in all formats. Look for him to catch plenty of passes and finish second among running backs in receptions, behind the one and only McCaffrey.

3. RB Saquon Barkley, New York Giants

Barkley has missed lots of time in each of his past two seasons. Fantasy managers who drafted Barkley this past season got minimal production from him before he tore his ACL in Week 2. That being said, the early reports about his rehab have been nothing but positive and the timing of the injury suggests that he will be ready for Week 1 even though he didn’t undergo surgery until late-October.

As a rookie in 2018, Barkley led the NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage, hauled in 91 receptions (second among running backs), scored 15 combined touchdowns, and finished second in fantasy points scored in a full season and on a per-game basis.

Barkley shouldn’t have any issues in 2021 as the Giants’ offensive attack will again be centered around the young and flashy back. Not to mention, it won’t hurt that Daniel Jones will have another year of experience under his belt.

4. RB Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings

Cook finished as the second-best running back in fantasy football last season after producing 1,557 yards on 312 carries, 16 rushing touchdowns, 44 receptions for 361 receiving yards and an additional touchdown through the air. The former Florida State bruiser took a huge leap this season and as long as he can remain healthy in the future, he is a sure-fire RB1 in all fantasy formats.

The Vikings’ offense is extremely run-heavy, especially after the departure of Stefon Diggs. Although Minnesota still likes to give Kirk Cousins a chance to haul it down field to Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, Cook will continue to see 20-plus touches per game. If he remains healthy, something he struggled to do in college, don’t be surprised if he sneaks atop the leaderboard.

5. RB Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys

Zeke did not look like himself as soon as Dak Prescott went down with a season-ending leg injury. If Prescott does not return to the Cowboys, Elliott will likely slip out of the first round and into the second. However, if Prescott does indeed return as Dallas’ signal caller – and i do believe that he will, Elliott will not be available after the first six picks of the draft.

6. RB Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans

Henry never ceases to amaze me. Yet again, the former Alabama running back bulldozed his way to over 2,000 rushing yards this past season, along with 17 rushing touchdowns. Henry’s one weakness is his ability to make plays in the passing game. Despite playing 16 games this past season, the All-Pro back caught just 19 passes for 114 yards. If Henry and Ryan Tanehill develop some chemistry on short and intermediate routes, Henry could move into the top three players in all of fantasy football.

7. WR Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers

It’s about time we get to the first wide receiver on this list. Adams missed a few games this season, yet still finished as the No. 1 WR in fantasy football. Aaron Rodgers’ favorite weapon finished the 2020 season with 115 receptions, 1,374 yards and 18 touchdowns. Adams averaged a mind blowing 25-plus fantasy points per game.

Although we should expect to see touchdown regression, the Packers lack solid pass catchers outside of Adams. Even when opposing defenses knew that Rodgers was going Adams’ way, cornerbacks and safeties simply had no way of stopping the electrifying plays that these two guys made, day in and day out. Expect more of the same in 2021, however, I do think Adams struggles to find the end zone quite as much as he did this past year, despite the fact that he seems to be impossible to stop in the red zone.

8. TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs

Although Kelce is listed as a tight end, for fantasy purposes, he is just as good as the best receivers in the game. With Patrick Mahomes under center in that Chiefs’ aerial offensive attack, someone is going to get open on each and every play. It is simply impossible to stop a team with so many dynamic weapons, particularly when they have a quarterback as talented as Mahomes.

Although Darren Waller finished the season with two more receptions than Kelce, Kelce averaged 20.9 fantasy points per game compared to Waller’s 17.4. Along with his 105 catches, Kelce finished with 1,416 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Drafting Kelce in the late first round makes a ton of sense given the positional scarcity at tight end. There are only a handful of good tight ends in fantasy football, and none of them come close to Kelce’s level.

9. WR Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints

This one is a bit of a risk considering Thomas will need to develop a rapport with either Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston in the wake of Brees’ retirement. Fantasy owners were likely burned by Thomas this season, who did not score his first touchdown until the Saints’ Wild Card victory over the Chicago Bears.

Thomas is undergoing some offseason surgery and will be good to go by OTA’s next season. Forget about this past season and take a chance on the stud wideout next season. It won’t get any worse than it was this season.

10. WR Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs

Hill is one of the most fun players to watch in the NFL. Not only is he part of that electrifying offense in Kansas City, but he is also one of the fastest players in the league. There is a reason that his Twitter handle is @cheetah.

Last season, Hill finished as the second-best wide receiver in PPR fantasy leagues. Although he only accumulated 87 receptions, he made up for that by going for 1,399 combined receiving and rushing yards, plus 17 touchdowns.

In 2021, expect Hill to continue to get open with ease as opposing defenses are forced to respect Mahomes’ ability to toss it short to Kelce. Hill will build off this successful campaign and should be drafted at the end of the first round.

Stay tuned for more fantasy football content here at Usports.org.

New York Giants star running back Saquon Barkley had his 2020 season cut short when he suffered from a torn ACL during the team’s Week 2 game against the Chicago Bears. As a result, he only played two games this season and finished with only 34 rushing yards and no touchdowns.

This marked the second consecutive year that he has missed games due to injury. In the 2019 season, Barkley was out for three games with a high ankle sprain. However, unlike this year in 2019, he returned to have a 1,000-yard rushing season.

Though he has been plagued by injuries, his successes during his time on the field are why co-owner John Mara and the New York Giants are keeping Barkley in mind for the future. The Giants are expected to exercise the fifth-year option on Barkley’s contract, but the question remains: what will happen after 2022?

There is no denying that Barkley is talented, but his recent injuries do lead to questions about his future with the team. However, Mara doesn’t seem very concerned.

“He’s such an important part of this team,” Mara told media concerning Barkley’s value to the Giants, on Pro Football Talk. “Not only for what he does on the field but the leadership and all of the intangibles he brings to us off the field. That [torn ACL] was really a gut-punch.” 

There is no timetable for when Barkley will be back on the field, but Mara seems committed to keeping the franchise halfback around for the long-term future.

“Listen, I’m still happy that we have him. I think knowing him, he’s going to come back stronger than ever and be a big part of this team next year. In terms of what the time table is, it’s hard to predict that right now. I know our medical people are very pleased with the progress he’s made,” said Mara.

“I certainly expect him to be a Giant for a very long time.”

Eli Manning lead the Giants to a 36-20 victory over the Dolphins Sunday in what could be his last home game as a starter. Manning was replaced by Giant’s first round pick Daniel Jones in week three after the team started out 0-2, then came back last week because Jones was nursing an injured ankle.

Manning finished with two touchdowns and three interceptions with 283 passing yards before exiting the game. Head Coach Pat Shurmur took Manning out with 1:50 remaining so he could get a proper sendoff. The Giant’s faithful chanted “Eli, Eli!” repeatedly as Manning walked towards the sidelines getting emotional as the moment washed over him.

SLIDESHOW: 50 GREAT SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2019

“Obviously, I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know what lies next week, let alone down the road. Obviously, the support and the fans, their ovation, chanting my name from the first snap to the end, I appreciate that. I appreciate them always and all my teammates coming up to me. It’s a special day, a special win and one I’ll remember,” Manning told ESPN.

Manning’s family was present at the game, including his parents, his wife and their four children. His three daughters met him in the tunnel as he came off the field, and he held his 10-month old son as his wife watched nearby.

Right from the jump Giants fans were chanting his name as he came onto the field for the Giants first drive. He was able to get a proper sendoff from them and in return he gave the fans a victory, bringing his regular season record back up to .500 at 117-117.

Manning gave a pre-game speech, which usually doesn’t occur, and his teammates made sure they wouldn’t disappoint. Saquon Barkley and Sterling Shepard told ESPN they looked at each other during the Giant’s first drive while Shepard said, “Let’s send him out on the right note. Do everything in our power.”

Barkley responded with 112 yards rushing and two touchdowns. His first game with 100 yards or more since week two and his first game with two or more touchdowns.

“If that is his last game and that’s the way we send Eli off, then that’s the way we envisioned doing [it]. I know I wanted to go out there and play my tail off, and I know those guys wanted to do the same, too, for No. 10. He’s meant so much to this city and to this franchise for such a long time. He’s a special person and a special player. If that is the way he gets sent off, I’m glad we were able to do it in a win and do it in that fashion,” Barkley said.

Shurmur was also happy to see Manning get a proper sendoff. “It’s good to be able to have Eli out there playing with us and help lead us to a victory. He’s certainly done many, many good things here for many, many years. For him to enjoy leading us to a victory should feel real special for him because of who he is.”

The Giant’s last game of the season will be at home, but the Giant’s haven’t announced who the starter will be for the last two games yet.

“I tried not to get too emotional just because we still have a couple football games left,” Manning said. “I know I’ll still be back in the stadium. I don’t know if I’ll play that day, but I know I’ll get to run out one more time at least. But still excited. Excited for the win and an honor if it is the last one playing here where I’m starting and getting a win. Try to enjoy it and take it in for a moment.”

The New York Giants have undoubtedly struggled this season, but they could still pull off a surprise.

The team is 2-8 and third in the NFC East. The Giants have sustained six straight losses and have only defeated two opponents this season: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Redskins. Several of the Giants’ offensive players — like Saquon Barkley and Rhett Ellison — have sustained injuries that have kept them sidelined for some time. On Thursday, head coach Pat Shurmur said Ellison will not be able to play in Sunday’s game against the Bears in Chicago. Evan Engram also missed practice on Thursday due to a foot injury.

GET NEW YORK GIANTS TICKETS HERE!

The G-Men face some tough challenges ahead, as they will play the Green Bay Packers (8-2) and the Philadelphia Eagles (5-5) after the Bears. Therefore, they will have to hope for as many of their offensive players as possible to stay healthy in order to turn their campaign around.

Tickets on StubHub start as low as $19 for the team’s game against the Redskins in Washington on Dec. 22.

Here is the Giants’ schedule for the rest of the season:

SUN DEC 1
Premium Tailgates Game Day Party – Packers vs Giants Tailgate
9:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $51

SUN DEC 1
The Tailgators Tailgate Party – Packers vs Giants
10:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $50

SUN DEC 1
Ticketbash Tailgate – Packers vs. Giants Tailgate
11:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $55

SUN DEC 1
Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
1:00 PM – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $105

MON DEC 9
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
8:15 PM – Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA, US
from $92

SUN DEC 15
Premium Tailgates Game Day Party – Dolphins vs Giants Tailgate
9:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $45

SUN DEC 15
The Tailgators Tailgate Party – Dolphins vs Giants
10:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $50
30 tickets left

SUN DEC 15
Ticketbash Tailgate – Dolphins vs. Giants Tailgate
11:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $55

SUN DEC 15
Miami Dolphins at New York Giants
1:00 PM – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $50

SUN DEC 22
New York Giants at Washington Redskins
1:00 PM – FedExField, Landover, MD, US
from $19

SUN DEC 29
Premium Tailgates Game Day Party – Eagles vs Giants Tailgate
9:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $51

SUN DEC 29
The Tailgators Tailgate Party – Eagles vs Giants
10:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US

SUN DEC 29
Ticketbash Tailgate – Eagles vs. Giants Tailgate
11:00 AM – MetLife Stadium Parking Lots, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $55

SUN DEC 29
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
1:00 PM – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, US
from $71
TBD at New York Giants: NFC Wild Card or Divisional Round Tickets (Home Game 1 – If Necessary)
TBD – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, US

SUN
JAN 19
TBD at New York Giants: NFC Championship Tickets (Home Game 2 – If Necessary)
TBD – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ, US
0 tickets left
1 event in all locations

SUN NOV 24
New York Giants at Chicago Bears
12:00 PM – Soldier Field, Chicago, IL, US

With just under three minutes left in the first half of the New York Giants’ electrifying 32-31 win on Sunday, Buccaneers safety Mike Edwards brought down Giants running back Saquon Barkley, accidentally catching his ankle underneath him and bending it awkwardly.

Barkley, the second overall pick in last year’s NFL draft, left the game with Giants fans everywhere fearing the worst.

On Monday, an MRI confirmed that Barkley suffered a high-ankle sprain, an injury that oftentimes carries with it a sentence of roughly four to eight weeks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter, on the other hand, indicated that the prognosis will likely leave the Giants’ sophomore running back sidelined for closer to eight weeks.

Down but not out, 22-year-old Barkley — the 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year — quickly spoke out after the game:

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

“I’m not out for the season,” said Barkley. “‘m going to do whatever I can to get back as quickly as possible. Not for myself, but for my team. That’s what I continue to think about. I caught myself getting a little upset on the sideline just because I wasn’t able to be out there with those guys.”

In his rookie year last year, the former Penn State Nittany Lions running back rushed for 1,307 yards and 11 touchdowns, while adding 91 receptions for 721 yards and 4 TDs. Poised for another breakout season, this injury will certainly deal a blow to the Giants’ offense as they look to take over control of the NFC East.

In Barkley’s absence, rookie quarterback Daniel Jones led the Giants to victory after recently taking over the starting duties from veteran Eli Manning. Jones went 23-of-36 passing for 336 yards and 4 touchdowns en route to boosting the Giants to a one-point victory.

After their first win, the 1-2 Giants will return home next Sunday to face their division rival, the Washington Redskins. Though Jones looks to be off to a great start as the Giants’ quarterback, the team will certainly hope that Barkley can return as soon as possible to solidify their backfield.

Colin Kaepernick returned to the football field this weekend.

Kaepernick Plays In Quavo’s Charity Game

Though he hasn’t played in the NFL since 2016, he made a surprise appearance at a charity flag football game held by Quavo, one-third of the hip-hop group Migos.

For the second year in a row, Quavo has hosted a celebrity flag football game to raise money for charity. Kaepernick showed up, along with several other famous names, including Cam Newton, Julio Jones, Von Miller, Alvin Kamara, Eric Reid, Josh Norman and Ric Flair.

Despite not throwing a pass since the end of a disappointing regular season with the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, Kaepernick’s arm still looked strong. He nailed New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley for a red zone touchdown. Barkley spent the 2018 season catching passes from Eli Manning, who seemed to lack the ability to throw the ball more than 20 yards down the field on certain drives.

The No. 2 overall draft pick in 2018 was excited to play with Kaepernick.

“I came up to him and told him, ‘I don’t mean to come off as a fan, but I’m a big fan and I respect everything that you did,” Barkley said.

30 SPORTS FIGURES WHO DIED IN 2018 – TRIBUTE SLIDESHOW

Kamara was also glad the quarterback showed up. “That was huge for him to be able to come out here and just support,” he said of Kaepernick.

Kaepernick became a national subject of debate after he protested social injustice and racial inequality by kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. After the season, the 49ers refused to re-sign him and he hasn’t returned the NFL since March 2017. Eventually, he filed a collusion case against the NFL and settled for less than $10 million in February.

While on the field, Kaepernick was sure to communicate with his teammates and hear them out. However, after the game, he declined all interview opportunities.