Unrealistic NFL Trade Idea Sends Eagles Star Saquon Barkley to Vikings

ESPN created a trade idea between the Philadelphia Eagles and Minnesota Vikings, and let's just get this out of the way: it would never happen. 

Here is the trade idea:

Vikings get: RB Saquon Barkley

Eagles get: 2027 third-round pick (with conditions)  

Howie Roseman would never trade Barkley to an NFC contender. And even though Jalen Hurts is done for the season, the NFC East is so bad that Philadelphia can still win the division with Tanner McKee starting. 

Would it be fun to see Barkley play with Kyler Murray and Justin Jefferson? Absolutely. But Roseman is one of the best execs in the NFL. He's not dumb enough to trade a superstar like Barkley to an NFC team. 

After all, Hurts will likely be back next season and you want Barkley next to Hurts in 2027. 

Barkley could return from his hamstring injury against the Dallas Cowboys, according to NFL insider Mike Garafolo. The star RB is expected to return to practice today (10/22) and is on track to play on Monday Night Football against the Cowboys. 

The Eagles and Cowboys are 2-4. The New York Giants lead the NFC East with a 3-2-1 record. 

Barkley got hurt in Week 4 against the Los Angeles Rams. The three-time Pro Bowler has 182 rushing yards this season. He hasn't reached the end zone yet.  

The NFL Players Association issued a statement calling for a "full investigation" into the medical care provided to Hurts, who played against the Jacksonville Jaguars in London despite getting little sleep and having a superficial blood clot in his calf. 

Hurts, 28, is clinically stable and his treatment requires blood thinners. He can’t play football while on blood thinners and is expected to return upon the conclusion of his treatment.

Nicole Lynn, Hurts’ agent, and the Eagles said in a statement that Hurts’ diagnosis is deep vein thrombosis and bilateral pulmonary emboli. The latter condition indicates blood clots in the lungs. Hurts has remained under evaluation in recent days. During treatment, he will remain around the team and work on his conditioning.

Hurts requested treatment for a calf injury he suffered after being “cleated” during a game against the Rams on October 4. On October 10 in London, the Eagles diagnosed Hurts with superficial vein thrombosis in his left calf. He was cleared to play in the game.

Hurts underwent an ultrasound and movement was found in the blood clot. The Eagles will start Tanner McKee against the Cowboys. McKee started last week against the Carolina Panthers. 

Hurts had 933 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, three interceptions, 107 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown this season. He completed 57.8% of his passes. 

Hurts entered this season with 17,891 passing yards, 110 passing touchdowns, 3,554 rushing yards and 63 rushing touchdowns in his career. He's made the Pro Bowl three times and won Super Bowl LIX MVP against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Eagles signed Hurts to a five-year, $255 million extension in April 2023. However, there is little guaranteed money left on Hurts' deal after the 2026 season.

A talented runner and thrower, Hurts finished the 2025 season with 3,224 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, 421 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns. He completed 64.8% of his passes.

Everyone in the NFL is praying for Hurts.