The Green Bay Packers could take advantage of a trade that shook up the NFL on Wednesday. The Philadelphia Eagles sent interior offensive lineman Cam Jurgens to the Baltimore Ravens, and that move could open the door for a conversation between the Packers and Eagles about running back Saquon Barkley.

This scenario isn’t likely, so let’s take this exercise with a grain of salt. But it’s worth considering. The Eagles probably won’t go into full rebuild mode, but if things don’t go right for Philadelphia before the trade deadline, the front office has a clear history of reacting to the team’s reality.

Why the Eagles could sell

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman hasn’t shied away from being aggressive in either direction. When the team is ready to win, he acquires players. When the Eagles need it, he sells pieces to gain draft capital and build the roster for the future.

That’s where Barkley comes in. He’s a special offensive weapon, but he’s also a 29-year-old running back. And that’s probably why Philadelphia would be more willing to move him at some point this season. If the Eagles aren’t competitive, trading Barkley before he potentially hits a wall would generate draft capital. Running backs over 30 tend to regress quickly, and Roseman knows that history as well as anyone.

For the Packers, the bar for trading for star players is high. Green Bay acquired edge defender Micah Parsons in a very specific situation, landing a generational talent. You can argue Barkley fits that description. However, his age and position are a clear point of contention.

A familiar contract history

The Packers were in the running back market when the Eagles first signed Barkley in 2024. Green Bay essentially gave Josh Jacobs a similar deal. Barkley signed a three-year, $39 million contract with Philadelphia, while Jacobs received a four-year, $48 million contract. The average per year was just $1 million lower for Jacobs.

The difference was the structure. The Packers don’t pay guarantees beyond the first year, and the four-year length gave them essentially three years of team option control over Jacobs. Meanwhile, Barkley’s three-year deal included two fully guaranteed seasons.

Since then, Barkley has signed an extension with the Eagles. Jacobs is still on his original contract with Green Bay.

What a trade could look like

Let’s discuss what a deal could look like as an exercise. That potential trade would be in line with what the San Francisco 49ers gave the Carolina Panthers for Christian McCaffrey in 2022, though at a lower price. The circumstances are different in terms of age.

The Packers would receive Barkley and a 2027 fifth-round pick. In exchange, Green Bay would send Jacobs, a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 seventh-round pick, and a 2028 fifth-round pick. Maybe someone would be willing to give up more draft capital, but Jacobs being part of the equation could be enticing. At least for the Eagles to have a viable running back option, or even to trade him again.

Whichever team acquires Barkley at the deadline would pay him around $8 million for the rest of the season, plus $16 million in 2027. That second figure is mostly guaranteed. Then there’s a $19.2 million salary in 2028, which works essentially as a team option. That’s a lot of money, but Barkley is a high-end caliber of player.

Jacobs is currently on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, so there’s no clear timeline for when (or if) he’ll return this year. But if the Eagles decide to move on from Barkley and give up on the season to some extent, getting Jacobs under contract through 2027 plus draft compensation could be a feasible return.

Clear need in Green Bay’s offense

For the Packers, adding a top-tier running back would be a massive upgrade. After four weeks, Green Bay ranks ninth in run block win rate but 32nd in rush EPA. That’s how bad the combination of MarShawn Lloyd, Kaleb Johnson, and Chris Brooks has been.

Barkley could also alleviate some of the burden on the passing game after Green Bay lost slot receiver Jayden Reed for the season with a neck injury.

Nonetheless, it’s a hard deal to pull off. The Packers and Eagles are NFC rivals, Roseman is a tough negotiator, and general manager Brian Gutekunst doesn’t like to overpay players. But if the Packers are still competing by the trade deadline and the Eagles aren’t, Green Bay could consider it. And if the front office believes Barkley can be the transformative piece for this offense, he would be a special addition.