Philadelphia’s season is slipping away, but its star running back is not going anywhere. The team has told him he will stay.
Saquon Barkley said the Philadelphia Eagles’ front office has assured him he will remain with the team past the Nov. 10 trade deadline, after a 27 to 10 loss to the Washington Commanders on Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
What did Saquon Barkley say about the trade deadline?
Barkley said the message meant a lot to him. Throughout the losing stretch, he said, his mindset has been that he is the kind of player and leader who can help the team get out of its slump, and he wants to be one of the reasons it gets fixed.
He said he did not read much into social media speculation about his future ahead of the trade deadline but appreciated the front office’s support.
He added that he has great respect for the organization and considers it an honor to wear the team’s midnight green. He said he believes the organization does things the right way.
Why was Barkley’s future in question?
The Eagles have lost six straight games and fallen to two wins and six losses, raising questions about whether the team would trade veterans for draft picks before the trade deadline.
General manager Howie Roseman, known as one of the league’s most active traders, has already made one move that looked like selling. In October, he sent offensive lineman Cam Jurgens and a pick in the seventh round of the 2027 draft to the Baltimore Ravens for a pick in the fifth round of the 2027 draft and one in the second round of the 2028 draft.
The Eagles have played without quarterback Jalen Hurts, who is expected to miss the rest of the season with blood clots. Tanner McKee has started in his place.
How did Barkley play against Washington?
Barkley, who has been dealing with hamstring and back injuries, again played limited snaps. He was on the field for 22 of 68 plays and finished with 14 touches for 54 yards and a touchdown.
Last week, he touched the ball on every one of his nine snaps against Dallas while playing through the same injuries. He became the first NFL starter in 20 seasons to play at least nine offensive snaps and get a touch on all of them.
The Commanders won comfortably. Washington has played without receiver Terry McLaurin, who suffered a knee injury that ended his season.
What comes next before the trade deadline?
Philadelphia has one game left before the trade deadline, at home against the New York Giants, who lead the NFC East, next Sunday. The Giants also happen to be Barkley’s former team.
Another loss could increase pressure on the front office to consider more moves, though Barkley appears safe. The team will also need to decide whether to move other veterans on expiring deals.
Barkley won Offensive Player of the Year in 2024 after rushing for more than 2,000 yards and helped Philadelphia win the Super Bowl that season. He remains one of the faces of the franchise.
Why does keeping Barkley matter?
Keeping Barkley signals that the Eagles still see him as part of their future, even as they weigh how to rebuild after a rough season. He signed with Philadelphia in 2024 after six seasons with the Giants.
At the trade deadline, teams often decide whether to buy or sell based on their playoff chances. Philadelphia’s chances have dimmed with each loss.
For Saquon Barkley, the assurance removes one question. The bigger one is whether the Eagles can turn their season around after the trade deadline passes.
