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Tim McManus, ESPN Staff Writer
PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles need a running back, and this is an interesting year to need a running back.
There are a number of household names positioned to hit free agency including Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, Austin Ekeler, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard along with current Eagle D’Andre Swift.
Swift returned to his hometown of Philadelphia last season and rushed for a career-best 1,049 yards — the fifth-most in the NFL in 2023 — en route to his first Pro Bowl appearance. And, notably, he remained largely healthy after being hampered by injuries over parts of his first three seasons in the league with the Detroit Lions.
“That was big. I guess there was a lot of questions going around as far as durability and stuff like that,” said Swift, who only missed the regular-season finale against the New York Giants with an illness, “so I answered that question.”
He called the opportunity to play so close to family and friends “amazing” and showed gratitude towards the organization at the close of the Eagles’ season in January for giving him that chance. But he stopped short of signaling his goal was to return to Philly, saying, “If the opportunity presents itself, we’ll see when we get there.”
There’s a business side to this, after all, and the Eagles are not exactly known for investing heavily in the running back position.
Last offseason reinforced that fact. Like Swift, Miles Sanders was coming off his first Pro Bowl campaign in 2022, having blown away previous highs with over 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns. But Philadelphia let him walk in free agency — Sanders signed a four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Carolina Panthers — and then sent a fourth-round pick to Detroit to acquire Swift, who was on the last year of his rookie deal with a salary of $1.77 million.
“We were in the top 10 in rushing, and that’s been kind of a staple here the last three years, and we’ve done it with different pieces. You always can do it with different pieces,” said coach Nick Sirianni.
“But, obviously, you get attached to the things that … D’Andre had a great year. He did a lot of really, really great things, and we’ll see how that plays out.”
If you’re using history as a guide, the Eagles could be expected to part ways with Swift and find the next gifted back entering a contract year — and it still might go that way.
But the glut of quality free agent backs increases the likelihood that Philadelphia will either retain Swift or replace him with another high-profile player.
It’s well-documented the value of running backs has been depressed of late: of all the multi-year free agent deals signed by running backs last season, Sanders’ was the highest at just over $6 million per season. Supply figures to outweigh demand more than normal this time around.
When the game of musical chairs winds down, one or more players from the group listed above could be without a home, which would give leverage to the teams still looking for a back.
“I think there are talented players on the free agent market,” said general manager Howie Roseman. “Obviously, we got a couple guys there from our team that are going to be free agents. I think that, at the end of the day, talented players end up getting paid.
“So, I think everyone will kind of have value on players just like any other position. Obviously, those guys handle the ball a lot, and they’re important players.”
Boston Scott and Rashaad Penny are the other Eagles’ free-agent backs. That leaves Kenneth Gainwell as the only sure-fire contributor at the position who is on the team’s roster at the moment.
There are cases to be made for several of the available backs when it comes to fit. Swift has already shown what he can do behind this offensive line (that lost center Jason Kelce to retirement on Monday). Swift was arguably underutilized, particularly in the pass game, and still put up career numbers.
Pollard and new Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore were paired together for four seasons in Dallas, with Pollard’s role increasing each consecutive year. He is well-versed in Moore’s scheme and has a dual-threat skill set that the Eagles value.
On the other hand, Philadelphia’s rushing attack lacked a punishing, physical, north-south style of runner last season — something the 30-year-old Henry would remedy in an instant. There are options aplenty, and the Eagles can let the market come to them.
“We obviously value the contributions that D’Andre made. He’s a great football player,” Sirianni said. “We’ll see how that goes with where we are, but there’s so many things to play out.”
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