The Philadelphia Eagles have received confirmation that the NFL’s investigation into potential tampering during their free-agent pursuit of former Giants running back Saquon Barkley will not conclude before the upcoming NFL Draft begins on Monday. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that the league will not complete its review of the case this week. This is significant news for the Eagles because it means they will not lose any of their seven picks during this year’s NFL Draft, which begins Monday at 8 p.m. with first-round selections. The Giants could still benefit from an NFL ruling, but it won’t be until the 2025 draft. Schefter had reported Monday that the reviews into Barkley’s case and potential tampering charges against the Atlanta Falcons involving quarterback Kirk Cousins might be completed ahead of the draft. After the Eagles signed Barkley to a three-year deal worth $37.75 million was announced, Penn State coach James Franklin hinted that the former Nittany Lions running back had spoken on the phone with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman before the legal tampering window opened at the start of free agency. The Eagles denied that was the case as did Barkley at his introductory news conference with the team. “Coach Franklin … I think kind of misinterpreted it,” Barkley said. “The truth was the sales pitch to Penn State, how many Penn State fans are Philadelphia Eagles fans. But that was through my agent, and my agent told me that.” The Eagles have been the beneficiary of tampering rulings in the past. The NFL stripped the Chiefs of a third-round pick for tampering with former Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin in 2016. Then last season the Eagles exchanged third-round picks with Arizona based on a tampering ruling involving former defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon , who was hired as the Cardinals head coach.
Eagles Draft Safe: Tampering Investigation Concludes Post-Draft
