Are the Eagles the No. 1 ‘destination’ team in the NFL now? The answer appears to be a resounding yes. The Philadelphia Eagles have solidified their status as a premier choice for top talent in the league, especially after their recent Super Bowl LIX victory. They are not just celebrating their success; they are also rewarding key players who contributed significantly to their triumph.
In a remarkable display of commitment, the Eagles recently secured the futures of Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun. Barkley, who was named the Offensive Player of the Year in 2024, made headlines by signing a two-year extension worth $41.2 million, setting a new record for running back contracts. Meanwhile, Baun, an All-Pro linebacker who led the Eagles in tackles, inked a three-year deal valued at $51 million, with $34 million guaranteed.
Such actions resonate throughout the league, making Philadelphia an attractive destination for other stars. “They’ve made themselves — if they weren’t already — the No. 1 chosen destination of every single player in the league,” remarked Craig Carton on FS1’s “Breakfast Ball.” His statement underscores the Eagles’ reputation for taking care of their own, a rarity in professional football.
Both Barkley and Baun, who joined the Eagles as free agents last offseason, have proven their worth on an already talented roster. They were even recognized as two of Tom Brady’s LFG Players of the Year, with Barkley winning the Player of the Year award and Baun being named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Interestingly, neither player had publicly voiced concerns about their contracts. The Eagles proactively addressed these situations, which is not something that happens across the NFL. In contrast, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow has expressed his desire to retain key players in Cincinnati, yet the team has opted for franchise tags instead of long-term deals for stars like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase.
Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys face similar challenges as they have yet to secure star pass-rusher Micah Parsons, who is in the final year of his rookie contract. This uncertainty can lead to discontent among players, as noted by Mark Schlereth during the same FS1 discussion.
The Eagles, however, have made their intentions clear. Former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh praised the organization, stating, “The Philadelphia Eagles is the best organization in football. Everybody on their team that earns a big contract, you are rewarded. Kudos to the Eagles.”
As free agency and the NFL Draft approach, many players will likely hope to join the Eagles. However, with around $22 million in salary cap space before Barkley and Baun’s extensions, the team faces tough decisions regarding which players to retain from their Super Bowl-winning roster.
Eagles general manager Howie Roseman acknowledged the challenges, saying, “We know we’re not going to be able to keep everyone. Certainly, we’d like to keep everyone. I would just ask our fans to just have patience throughout the offseason.”
So far, the Eagles have released veteran defensive backs Darius Slay and James Bradberry, and more roster changes may be on the horizon as players like Milton Williams and Josh Sweat head into free agency.
Despite these changes, the sentiment remains positive. During an appearance on “The Facility,” Slay expressed his loyalty to the Eagles, stating, “The money equal and everything else is equal? Philly for sure. If Philly doing what I want to do, we in Philly again.”
Such loyalty reflects the high regard in which players hold the Eagles organization, a sentiment that resonates throughout the NFL.
