Eagles' state of the franchise: Running backs

The Philadelphia Eagles made a Pro Bowler out of running back D'Andre Swift despite running a pass-first offense for a majority of the 2023 season. 

The receiving duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith dominated through the air and QB Jalen Hurts remained reliable as a chain-mover and scorer in short-yardage situations (15 rushing TDs).

Swift led the Eagles in rushing with 1,049 yards — the first time he has topped 1,000 yards rushing in the NFL — but Miles Sanders accomplished the same feat behind Philadelphia's touted offensive line in 2022. He signed with Carolina as a free agent last offseason.

In 2023, Kenneth Gainwell (364 yards rushing) and Boston Scott (86 yards) contributed on a handful of plays each game for Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Rashaad Penny — signed as a free agent to a one-year, $1.35 million deal last offseason — had only 12 touches all season.

Swift, Scott and Penny are pending free agents, leaving Gainwell as the only remaining Eagles running back under contract for 2024.

Here are the options for the Eagles at the position, which NFL teams have devalued over the past decade.

Re-signing D'Andre Swift

According to Spotrac, Swift would command a $6.7 million-per-year deal on an estimated four-year, roughly $27 million contract. The Philadelphia native is only 25 and would be in line for the majority of the carries if he re-signed with the Eagles. Swift is a top-10 rushing talent and probably will get paid as such no matter where he signs.

Free agency

Per DraftKings, the Eagles have the third-best odds to sign veteran Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, a pending free agent. DraftKings gives the Ravens the best odds of signing the eight-year veteran, who former NFL player Robert Griffin III — an ESPN analyst — pegs as a great fit for Baltimore.