Comments made by Penn State head coach James Franklin made some observers believe that the Eagles violated NFL tampering rules in recruiting former Giants running back Saquon Barkley.
At the start of NFL free agency, Barkley agreed to a three-year deal with Philadelphia worth up to $37.75 million with $26 million guaranteed.
After the signing, Franklin intimated that the former Penn State running back had spoken on the phone with Eagles GM Howie Roseman, a no-no as front office personnel are only allowed to talk with players’ agents — and not directly to players themselves — in the 52-hour “legal tampering” window.
“He said that was one of the first things that Howie said to him on the phone as part of his sales pitch,” Franklin had said. “Not only the Philadelphia Eagles and that that but also the connection with Penn State and the fan base as well. So just a really cool opportunity.”
The Eagles issued a denial to the insinuation of illicit tampering, as a team spokesperson told ProFootballTalk that all communication happened through Barkley’s agent.
There is precedent for violation of this rule having lofty consequences, as the NFL docked the Chiefs of a third-round pick for improper communication with former Eagles wideout Jeremy Maclin in 2016.
Barkley, 27, played six seasons for the Giants after getting selected second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Last season, Barkley had 1,242 combined rushing and receiving yards and 10 total touchdowns in 14 games.
Although dating back to last year the Giants never engaged Barkley on a multi-year deal on the level that the Eagles gave him, some were very upset that he departed for the NFC East rival.
This included former Giants running back Tiki Barber, who jokingly lamented on WFAN that Barkley is “dead” to him.
