Philadelphia, PA – April 12, 2025, 05:39 AM PDT
Former Eagles head coach Chip Kelly has advised GM Howie Roseman to trade running back Saquon Barkley for Buffalo Bills’ James Cook to alleviate salary cap constraints.
The Eagles, fresh off a Super Bowl LIX victory, face a tight cap situation in 2025, with only $18.125 million in cap space after recent signings like Za’Darius Smith and Adoree’ Jackson.
Barkley, who signed a 2-year, $41.2 million extension in March 2025, has a $6.661 million cap hit this year but a $45.98 million dead cap if traded, per Spotrac [Web ID: 6].
Cook, entering the final year of his rookie deal with the Bills, has a $3.1 million cap hit in 2025, per Spotrac, and rushed for 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024.
Trading Barkley for Cook would save the Eagles approximately $3.561 million in 2025 cap space, factoring in the difference between their cap hits, allowing flexibility to address roster gaps.
The Eagles need to fill voids at edge rusher, cornerback, and safety after losing Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, and C.J. Gardner-Johnson, with the $64.6 million dead cap further straining finances [Web ID: 3].
Eagles fans on X are divided, with @EaglesNation posting, “Barkley’s 2,504 yards were key—don’t trade him!” while @PhillyFanatic said, “Cook’s cheaper—we need cap space for defense!”
Kelly’s advice, shared on the “College Football Enquirer” podcast, aims to help the Eagles maintain competitiveness by freeing up funds to bolster critical positions for another Super Bowl run.
