The Eagles did not elect to tender an RFA contract to Kenjon Barner, allowing the running back to explore other options. He appears to have found one. The Chargers agreed to terms to add Barner, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. It’s a one-year deal for Barner, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets.
Barner will be entering his fifth NFL season but was just eligible for restricted free agency this year due to service-time issues, but the Eagles non-tendering the ball-carrier moved him to the UFA market a year early. He will join a Chargers backfield that was decimated by injuries in 2016 and one that just lost Danny Woodhead in free agency. Barner adds depth to a Bolts backfield stable housing Melvin Gordon, who has failed to finish each of his first two NFL seasons, and Kenneth Farrow.
The Eagles used Barner sparingly, with the likes of Ryan Mathews, Darren Sproles and DeMarco Murray blocking his path to playing time.
On 27 carries last season, Barner averaged a career-best 4.8 yards per carry. Philadelphia initially acquired Barner via trade from the Panthers, so the Chargers will be the former Oregon running back’s third NFL team. The soon-to-be 28-year-old running back gained 129 yards last season and scored two touchdowns. He has just 61 career carries.
The backfield stable featuring Melvin Gordon, Kenneth Farrow and they also re-signed Andre Williams last week. So Barner comes in as RB 4/ Special teams player it looks like for now at the moment.