sports
What We Know About Saquon Barkley Staying With the Eagles

Saquon Barkley will not be traded before next week's NFL deadline, according to sources cited by NFL Network reporters Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport, confirmed by ESPN. The report, published Nov. 1, puts an end to speculation that the Philadelphia Eagles could move the star running back despite what ESPN's headline described as the team's struggles this season.
Will Saquon Barkley Be Traded Before the Deadline?
No. Garafolo and Rapoport reported that Barkley will remain on the Eagles' roster past the deadline, according to ESPN's story. The report does not list a specific calendar date for the deadline, describing it only as "next week's" cutoff. A separate HTT News report on the same day reached the same conclusion, that the Eagles will not deal Barkley before the deadline passes.
Why Are the Eagles Keeping Barkley Despite Their Struggles?
ESPN's headline framed the decision as notable "despite Eagles' struggles" this season, though the underlying report does not detail the team's record or specific on-field performance data. Garafolo and Rapoport's sourcing, relayed through NFL Network and republished by ESPN, is presented as from people with knowledge of the Eagles' trade deadline plans. No team executive or Barkley representative is quoted directly in the available report.
What Has Barkley Said About Playing This Week?
The ESPN package includes a video segment titled "Saquon Barkley hopes to play Sunday vs. Commanders," indicating the running back is working toward availability for Philadelphia's next game rather than toward a trade. ESPN's broader NFL coverage lists an Eagles-Commanders matchup on Sunday Night Football among its Week 8 content, including a separate betting preview for that game.
When Do the Eagles Play Next?
According to ESPN's Week 8 coverage, the Eagles are scheduled to face the Washington Commanders in a Sunday Night Football matchup. ESPN published a betting guide for that specific game alongside the Barkley trade report, signaling the two storylines are connected on the network's NFL coverage this week.
What's Next for the Eagles at the Trade Deadline?
With Barkley off the trade block, Philadelphia's roster moves before the deadline are expected to focus elsewhere. ESPN's trade deadline coverage from the same period includes separate reports on other teams, including the Las Vegas Raiders declining to move defensive end Maxx Crosby and the Indianapolis Colts engaging in trade talks involving running back Jonathan Taylor, underscoring that Barkley's situation is one of several running back storylines NFL Network and ESPN are tracking as the deadline approaches. Neither ESPN nor the sourcing cited in its report indicates any change in Barkley's status before kickoff against Washington.
Questions
Will Saquon Barkley be traded before the NFL deadline?
No. Sources told NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport that Barkley will not be traded, a report confirmed by ESPN.
Is Saquon Barkley expected to play this week?
ESPN's coverage includes a segment indicating Barkley hopes to play Sunday against the Washington Commanders.