After the Eagles dropped to 2-5 with a Monday night loss to the Cowboys, the conversation in Philadelphia turned quickly toward the trade deadline. If this season really is slipping away, the roster picture changes fast.
Several names could be in play, including Riq Woolen, Moro Ojomo and tight end Dallas Goedert. But none would create more noise than Saquon Barkley.
That’s the difficult part for the Eagles. Barkley arrived in Philadelphia in 2024 and helped deliver the franchise’s second Lombardi Trophy by rushing for 2,000 yards.
Since that remarkable season, the ground game hasn’t looked the same. It dipped in 2025, and injuries have already complicated things this year.
Barkley came back from a hamstring injury on Monday and still produced 62 yards on seven carries, good for 8.9 yards per carry, before leaving with a back injury. That health issue would hang over any trade market. He’s under contract through the 2028 season, but if Philadelphia decides to move him, there are a handful of teams that fit.
The Giants have to be part of the conversation, even if it would be messy. Barkley spent six seasons in New York after the team took him No. 2 in the 2018 draft, and the fit on paper is obvious because the Giants still need help at running back. Their backs did rebound Sunday with 188 rushing yards against the Texans, but the position remains a clear area to upgrade.
The relationship, though, was not exactly smooth on the way out. Barkley grew frustrated during negotiations and said the process felt “a little disrespectful” before signing with the Eagles.
When he went back to MetLife Stadium, Giants fans booed him and burned his jersey. New York has since hired John Harbaugh as head coach, while Joe Schoen remains the general manager.
Philadelphia also may not want to send Barkley to a division rival.
Minnesota also makes sense. The Vikings have tried to shore up the run game, but they still have work to do.
They’re 28th in EPA per rush at -0.17 and 12th in rushing yards per game at 119.3. Their offense has pieces, but Barkley would add a different gear, especially with the passing game still finding its footing.
Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason have both dealt with injuries, which makes another runner even more appealing. The concern is obvious, though: Barkley has had his own injury issues, so counting on him every week would be a gamble.
Green Bay is another possible fit, even if the problems there run deeper than one player. The Packers are dead last in both EPA per rush at -0.29 and rushing yards per game at 59.9. Josh Jacobs returned after starting the season on the commissioner’s exempt list, but he didn’t swing much when Green Bay lost to the Lions, finishing with 36 yards on 11 carries and a costly dropped touchdown.
It’s fair to question how much any back can truly change that situation with the state of the offensive line. Barkley was less efficient when the Eagles’ line regressed in 2025, too. Still, he’d be a clear upgrade over what Green Bay has now and could raise the floor of the entire running game.
Cincinnati belongs on the list as well. When Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow are all healthy, the Bengals’ offense is dangerous.
Add Barkley to that mix and the rushing attack would get a real boost. Chase Brown has not taken the next step after his 2025 performance and had just 39 yards on 11 carries against Baltimore.
The Bengals also haven’t exactly made a habit of jumping into blockbuster deals, outside of the Dexter Lawrence II trade. Even so, this is the kind of move that would make sense for both sides, especially if Philadelphia prefers to send Barkley out of the conference.
Seattle rounds out the group, though it may be a harder deal to picture. The Seahawks used a first-round pick on Jadarian Price, and Zach Charbonnet is close to returning. They also just posted one of their best rushing efforts of the season, gaining 153 yards in a win over the Chiefs.
But Barkley is still worth considering if Seattle wants to keep building toward championship contention. The team added guard Quenton Nelson on Tuesday, and Barkley wouldn’t have to cost as much as Jonathan Taylor. That makes him a name to watch for GM John Schneider if the Seahawks decide to keep pushing for more in the run game.
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