Eagles add to defense, agree with DE on $51 million contract

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles are making noise early on this free agency period, having agreed to contracts with former New York Jets defensive end Bryce Huff, along with former New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, two people familiar with the deals told The Associated Press on Monday.

Huff is getting a three-year deal for $51 million, according to the people who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because free agents can’t officially sign with new teams until Wednesday.

The 25-year-old Huff spent the last four seasons with the New York Jets. Huff goes from undrafted to a big payday after recording a career-best 10 sacks last season. He still needs to develop as a run defender to be more than a pass-rush specialist.

Huff has 17 1/2 career sacks, 65 total tackles and one forced fumble in four seasons. The arrival of the 6-foot-3, 255-pound rusher could signal the end of either Josh Sweat or Haason Reddick’s time in Philadelphia.

Huff thanked the Jets and their fans in a social media post but did not acknowledge his deal with the Eagles.

Barkley is set to sign a three-year deal for $26 million guaranteed and $37.75 million overall.

Barkley, who tweeted two eagle emojis on Monday, hit free agency after the Giants elected not to put a franchise tag on the second overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.

The Giants used the tag last season and eventually worked out a one-year, $10.1 million contract before the start of training camp. A franchise tag this year would have cost the team $12.2 million if Barkley accepted the offer.

Barkley, 27, played in 14 games last season, missing three because of a high ankle sprain. He ran for 962 yards and six touchdowns and had 41 catches, including four TDs.

Since joining the Giants, Barkley has run for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns. The Penn State product also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 TDs.

Barkley missed most of the 2020 season after tearing his ACL in the second week of the season. He struggled in 2021 but regained his form the following year, rushing for 1,312 yards and 10 touchdowns in helping the Giants get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.