The offseason addition of Saquon Barkley helped elevate a sluggish offense for the Philadelphia Eagles and lead the group to a Tremendous Bowl.
Whereas constructing groups by means of the draft continues to be probably the most fascinating avenue for achievement within the NFL, free agent additions have performed a serious function for a number of Tremendous Bowl groups since unrestricted free company got here to the NFL in 1993.
If Barkley might help ship a Tremendous Bowl title to Philadelphia when the Eagles tackle the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs on Feb. 9 in New Orleans, he’ll be a part of an inventory of stars from Reggie White to Tom Brady who helped their groups win Tremendous Bowl titles after signing large free agent offers.
Barkley posted one of many most prolific seasons ever for a operating again after signing a $37.75 million, three-year contract in March. He grew to become the ninth participant to hurry for two,000 yards in an everyday season, set an NFL document with seven TD runs of at the least 60 yards within the common season and playoffs and wishes 30 yards speeding to interrupt Terrell Davis’ document of two,476 yards set within the 1998 season for many ever in a season, playoffs included.
Here is a have a look at among the most impactful free brokers on Tremendous Bowl champions during the last three many years.
Reggie White, Packers
The primary main unrestricted free agent left Philadelphia earlier than the 1993 season and helped construct a powerhouse in Inexperienced Bay. White was probably the most dominant defensive participant for many of the Nineties and turned the Packers right into a perennial contender. Inexperienced Bay ended a 10-year playoff drought in White’s first season, made it to the convention title recreation in his third yr and helped lead the Packers to the title in his fourth season.
Deion Sanders, 49ers and Cowboys
Prime Time performed a serious half in two Tremendous Bowl titles beginning when he joined San Francisco in 1994 as a part of a serious spending spree. After successful 4 titles within the Nineteen Eighties, the Niners misplaced to Dallas on back-to-back convention title video games within the 1992-93 seasons, creating a way of urgency for notoriously inpatient proprietor Eddie DeBartolo.
The funding in Sanders performed quick dividends. He had three pick-6s on the best way to successful Defensive Participant of the Yr in 1994 and had interceptions within the NFC title recreation win over the Cowboys and Tremendous Bowl win towards the Chargers.
Sanders left after that season and joined the enemy, signing with the Cowboys. He helped ship a Tremendous Bowl title his first season in Dallas as nicely.
Drew Brees, Saints
Brees confirmed flashes early in his profession with the Chargers however was deemed expendable following the 2005 season with San Diego set to show over the offense to Philip Rivers.
Brees was coming off shoulder surgical procedure that scared away Miami and signed with New Orleans. The Saints had received one playoff recreation of their historical past earlier than Brees arrived and their viability in New Orleans was unsure following the injury from Hurricane Katrina. However Brees helped solidify the Saints long-term standing by main them to the NFC title recreation in his first yr and the successful all of it in his fourth season.
The shoulder damage proved to be of little concern as Brees spent 15 years in New Orleans earlier than retiring as one of many recreation’s most prolific passers.
Charles Woodson, Packers
After the large splash signing of White within the preliminary class of free brokers, the Packers had been a lot much less aggressive the next decade. However they did step as much as signal Woodson after he left Oakland following the 2005 season.
Woodson revived his profession in Inexperienced Bay and received AP Defensive Participant of the Yr in 2009. The following season he helped the Packers get to the Tremendous Bowl the place they received their fifth title regardless of shedding Woodson to a damaged collarbone late within the first half.
Peyton Manning, Broncos
After successful a Tremendous Bowl for Indianapolis and turning into one of many recreation’s high quarterbacks ever, Manning wanted to search for a brand new residence in 2012 after a severe neck damage pressured him to overlook the earlier season and led the Colts to show the group over to rookie Andrew Luck.
After a free company tour, Manning opted to sign up Denver in a transfer that paid quick dividends. In 4 seasons with the Broncos, Manning received two MVPs, led the Broncos to 2 AFC titles and received the Tremendous Bowl in his remaining recreation earlier than retiring following the 2015 season.
Tom Brady, Buccaneers
After successful a document six Tremendous Bowl titles in New England, Brady and the Patriots broke up following the 2019 season. Whereas New England hasn’t come near getting again to the title recreation, Brady received there in his first season in Tampa Bay after throwing for 4,633 yards and 40 TDs in his first season.
Helped alongside by the addition of outdated Patriot operating mate Rob Gronkowski, Brady helped the Bucs finish a 12-year playoff drought and received his seventh Tremendous Bowl, knocking off Brees, Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes alongside the best way.
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