Latest Development Shows Chargers Free Agent Priority May Be Looking Elsewhere

Los Angeles may need to look in a different direction.

The Los Angeles Chargers have been looking at one of the biggest names on the free agent market, running back Saquon Barkley. Los Angeles has been linked with Barkley for a while now, even having high odds of potentially landing him.

The Bolts need a running back this offseason, and Barkley has shown himself to be one of the best in the NFL. It could be a nice pairing between the two sides, however, it seems that there could be a hiccup. 

It's being reported that Barkley may be looking elsewhere during his free-agent process. The New York Post has reported that the Philadelphia Eagles have sparked the interest of Barkey, and it's mutual. 

𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭: Saquon Barkley to the #Eagles is a “real possibility” and there is mutual interest on both sides, per @rydunleavy pic.twitter.com/zeC7NAvR0O

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 7, 2024

If Barkley wants to go to Philadelphia, the Eagles will likely make it happen. They underperformed last season, and adding a talent like him would be huge for them.

He is also a legend in the college realm in Pennsylvania, having attended Penn State. Barkley was special while at Penn State, and it could be a reunion of sorts for him to go to the Eagles.

While the Bolts do make sense for Barkley, he may prefer the East Coast. Los Angeles could offer him the chance to play under Jim Harbaugh but, they may be capped money-wise. 

The Chargers have plenty of options to work with this offseason, but Barkley has been a heavily linked player. If they don't land the Pro Bowl talent, they could always bring back Austin Ekeler to see if he can be more productive in Harbaugh's system.

There is still some time left between now and when free agency starts, so the Bolts can maneuver things to get what they want. Most things are fluid when it comes to free agency, so there is still hope.