Thanks to a bit of speculation by a Philadelphia Eagles reporter, there was a little bit of noise on social media about the Arizona Cardinals potentially trading running back David Johnson. The speculation came from NBC Sports Philadelphia’s Derrick Gunn, who tweeted about the Eagles inquiring about Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, only he added “don’t be surprised” if the Eagles tried to acquire Johnson. The rumor has been out there for a while that the eagles are interested in Le'veon Bell…. but don't be surprised if they're also inquiring about Arizona RB David Johnson. — Derrick Gunn (@RealDGunnNBCS) October 8, 2018 The Eagles can inquire all they want. The Cardinals won’t and really can’t trade Johnson. First of all, this is not a report stating that the Eagles actually have inquired. It is simply speculation they might. And their inquiring is a very different thing than the Cardinals having conversations with them. But even beyond that, the financial implications make it impossible to trade Johnson. The Cardinals signed Johnson to a three-year contract extension before Week 1. Because of the signing bonus and guaranteed money remaining in his deal, trading him would have massive cap implications. Johnson’s contract is a little more than $5 million against the cap in 2018. If they were to trade or release him, it would create more than $24 million in dead money, which would not save the Cardinals money. It would cost them an addition $19 million-plus against the cap. Arizona now has only $9.3 million in cap space. Cardinals fans don’t even need to pay attention to this. It isn’t going to happen. It can’t happen. Johnson is going to be a Cardinal for a long time. Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Stitcher Radio.<doc-sep>The Philadelphia Eagles are in pursuit of landing a No. 1 running back in the wake of Jay Ajayi's season ending injury, but won't stop with just Le'Veon Bell. Per Derrick Gunn of NBC Sports Philadelphia, the Eagles have shown interest in acquiring Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson. Unlike Bell, who will be a free agent in 2019, Johnson already has signed a contract extension with the Cardinals...which makes a potential deal even more interesting. The terms of the deal call for Johnson to be paid $38.1 million over the three years with the possibility of reaching $45 million in total. Johnson is guaranteed $30 million, and the contract makes him one of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL. He has two competitors in that arena. The first is Todd Gurley, who signed a four-year deal worth up to $57.5 million that came with $45 million in guarantees. Gurley's contract is longer and comes with far more money assured to him, but if Johnson hits whatever incentives have been worked into his contract, he will make more on average per year than his division rival. Looming over all of this is Bell. The Pittsburgh Steelers star has feuded with his team over a new contract for years now, and is under the franchise tag for the second consecutive season in 2018. In response, Bell is in the midst of a holdout, even though his tag pays him over $14.5 million for this season alone, but he surrenders $853,000 with each game that he misses. He therefore has the highest average of the three technically, but that number drops significantly with each missed game. The Eagles are 2-3 after another embarrassing loss. They have the Giants on short week in a must-win game. Make sure to stay in the loop for all Eagles news throughout this journey -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Eagles newsletter now! When Johnson was healthy in 2016, he measured up to Gurley, Bell and just about any other running back in football. He led the NFL in touches (373), all-purpose yards (2,118) and combined receiving and rushing touchdowns (20) in that season, just his second in the NFL. He suffered a broken wrist on opening day last season that kept him out for the entire season, but the Cardinals saw enough in his explosive sophomore campaign to lock him up early. That is especially notable in light of Bell's plight. Johnson's extension will keep him in Arizona through his seventh NFL season and was given to him after his third. Bell is currently in his sixth, and he still has not yet received a multi-year deal. He will get his second contract only a year earlier, relative to their careers, than Johnson will get his third. Johnson is struggling this season behind an anemic Cardinals offensive line, having 74 carries for 242 yards (3.3 yards per carry) and four touchdowns. he also has 15 catches for 120 yards and a touchdown. The 27-year old Johnson is averaging 4.1 yards per touch this season. Because Johnson is signed, the Eagles may have to give the Cardinals more for his services (his extension hasn't kicked in yet), but the franchise could buy low because he is getting paid $38.1 million over the next three years and hasn't performed like an elite running back in 2018. The Eagles did this with Ajayi, but he was on his rookie deal when they sent a fourth-round pick to the Miami Dolphins for him last year. Interesting note with Johnson is his deal ends in 2021, which would be the first year of Carson Wentz's extension (Wentz wouldn't get paid a huge sum in year one of the extension, but it would count against the cap). The Cardinals have not given any indication they would entertain a trade for Johnson, but they are also in the crossroads with their franchise. If they get a good return back and can eliminate that contract, they could move on from the 2016 First Team All-Pro.<doc-sep>The Philadelphia Eagles are hurting badly for help at running back after it was revealed today that Jay Ajayi would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL. The Eagles reportedly had earlier interest in Le’Veon Bell, who is holding out amid a contract dispute with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and now they’re being linked to another big-name running back. The rumor has been out there for a while that the eagles are interested in Le'veon Bell…. but don't be surprised if they're also inquiring about Arizona RB David Johnson. — Derrick Gunn (@RealDGunnNBCS) October 8, 2018 One positive for the Eagles if they could land Johnson would be his team-friendly contract. Unlike Bell, who is on track to be a free agent after this season, Johnson already has signed a contract extension with the Cardinals that will pay him $38.1 million over the three years with the possibility of reaching $45 million in total. Johnson is guaranteed $30 million in the deal, making him one of the league’s highest-paid at his position. It’s a cap number that the Eagles would be willing to absorb, and one that would allow them room to work in free agency. Johnson rushed for 1,239 yards and 20 touchdowns during the 2016 season, amassing 2,118 total yards from scrimmage. Last year, he suffered a dislocated wrist in Week 1 and missed the rest of the season.<doc-sep>
The Philadelphia Eagles are in need of running back help due to Jay Ajayi going down for the season with a torn ACL. The Eagles have previously been connected to Le’Veon Bell but now they’re being linked to another high-profile backfield weapon: David Johnson. The rumor has been out there for a while that the eagles are interested in Le'veon Bell.... but don't be surprised if they're also inquiring about Arizona RB David Johnson. — Derrick Gunn (@RealDGunnNBCS) October 8, 2018 Now that’s interesting. Johnson, 26, is an incredibly talented player. He rushed for 1,239 yards and 20 touchdowns during the 2016 season. But that’s not all. He also had 120 receptions for 879 yards and four scores. That’s 2,118 total yards from scrimmage. Johnson’s play-making versatility would be much welcomed to an Eagles offense that currently ranks 28th in big plays generated. Gap, zone, red zone, out wide, in the slot, from the backfield.. nothing this dude can't do. My personal favorite RB in the league David Johnson is BACK BABY! pic.twitter.com/IDnMCuLvMo — Michael Kist (@MichaelKistNFL) August 1, 2018 While it makes sense for the Eagles to be interested in Johnson, it doesn’t really make sense for the Cardinals to trade him. Arizona just inked him to a three-year, $39 million back in September. Even if this turns out to be a lost season for the 1-4 Cardinals, there’s value in keeping Johnson as a reliable weapon for rookie quarterback Josh Rosen to work with. I have a hard time seeing the Eagles ending up with Johnson.