Just two years after winning the Super Bowl, the Philadelphia Eagles could be forced into an unexpected decision: becoming sellers before the NFL trade deadline on November 10.

If the situation continues to deteriorate, Philadelphia would hold one of the most coveted assets on the market: Saquon Barkley, the star running back and NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

According to ESPN’s Ben Solak, one team that could try to acquire Barkley to change the trajectory of its season is the Houston Texans. The Texans would reportedly be willing to make a strong offer that includes a 2027 third-round pick, a 2027 sixth-round pick, a 2028 second-round pick, and running back Woody Marks in exchange for the star back.

After opening the season 0-4, Houston has responded and now sits at 2-4, remaining in the hunt for a fourth consecutive AFC playoff berth.

“I could see a few contenders doing it. The Seahawks came to mind, as did the Packers and the Vikings. But I love the idea of GM Nick Caserio, fresh off the Marvin Harrison Jr. deal, doubling down on the offense and adding Barkley to a backfield that he has yet to solve in Houston,” Solak wrote on October 20. “The Texans are once again on pace to have a bottom-5 rushing attack, but Barkley has the talent behind the line of scrimmage to help cover for a shaky interior offensive line group. By forcing opposing defenses to play more heavy boxes by formation and by the presence of Barkley, the 2-4 Texans could pull further defensive attention away from receiver Nico Collins and field an offense really worthy of a comeback run into the playoffs.”

The analyst believes the Texans urgently need to improve their ground game and that Barkley’s presence could create more space for players such as Nico Collins, giving Houston an offense capable of competing for a playoff spot once again.

Barkley’s difficult start to 2026

Barkley’s rough beginning to the 2026 season continues a trend that started last year. Through six games, the running back has played only two full contests. He left two others early due to injuries and has missed the last two games with a hamstring issue.

His production has also dropped significantly from his spectacular 2024 campaign, when he was a key piece in the Eagles’ championship run.

The Eagles made a massive bet on Saquon Barkley

After winning the Super Bowl, the Eagles rewarded Barkley with a two-year, $41.2 million extension, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history and the first at the position to average more than $20 million per season.

Now, with Philadelphia enduring a difficult season, the possibility of a trade that once seemed unthinkable is starting to gain real traction.