The Philadelphia Eagles could lose a key starter in free agency to the San Francisco 49ers.
According to Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti, the Eagles will re-sign D’Andre Swift to a three-year, $18 million contract. However, if Philadelphia permits Swift to enter free agency, he thinks that the San Francisco 49ers are likely to be interested in Swift’s talents.
“Philly has made this position a revolving door annually for quite some time now, so a multi-year extension wouldn’t seem to be the obvious choice – but we’re going to make it anyway,” writes Ginnitti. “Here’s why. If the Eagles let this player walk into free agent (franchise tag probably not ideal with their cap situation), one of the teams seemingly primed to pounce could be NFC rival San Francisco. Kyle Shanahan has long been looking for a proper handcuff for Christian McCaffrey, whose magic is bound to run out here soon anyway. 3 years, $18M to stay in Philly.”
D’Andre Swift Has Emerged as One of NFL’s Best Running Backs
Swift’s average annual worth is $5.4 million every year, for a total of $22 million, according to Spotrac. This is slightly less than Ginnitti’s projected $6 million average.
Swift has emerged as the Eagles’ starting running back since being acquired in a draft-day trade from the Detroit Lions. Swift emerged as the team’s best option in Week 2 after starting the season as the backup to Kenneth Gainwell, running for a season-high 175 yards on 6.3 yards per carry in a 34-28 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Swift has established himself as one of the league’s best running backs, finishing third in rushing yards and tenth in yards per attempt. Swift has a great 64.1 offensive grade and 69.2 rushing grade this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Why the Eagles May Not Re-Sign D’Andre Swift
While Swift is clearly an important element of Philadelphia’s 9-1 record, the Eagles don’t place a high importance on their running backs. Miles Sanders, the Eagles’ former starter running back, walked away in free agency this offseason. Sanders received his first Pro Bowl invitation after rushing for a career-high 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Despite his career-best season, the Eagles let Sanders accept a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers worth $25.4 million over four years — an average yearly budget cost of $6.350 million per year — while completing a trade for Swift, who is making slightly less than $1.8 million this season.
Sanders, on the other hand, has lost his starting role to Chuba Hubbard and is having a career-low season with 274 yards on 82 runs for 3.3 yards per carry.
According to Martin Frank of Delaware Online, the Eagles are paying Swift, Gainwell, Rashaad Penny, and Boston Scott less than the Panthers are paying Sanders this year.
He also believes that unless the Eagles adjust their running back strategy, Swift will most likely be let go.
“Unless the Eagles do an about-face on their philosophy of not paying running backs, it appears that Swift will most likely have to find his next paycheck somewhere else,” Frank writes in his article. “And yet, Sanders’ season is also a cautionary tale as to why teams are reluctant to splurge on a running back, even in a depressed market for them that one Eagles player described as “ridiculous. The NFL is mistreating running backs.”
We’ll see if the Eagles’ value of running backs changes this offseason, but bringing Swift back will cost at least a little money.
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