Philadelphia traded quarterback Matt Barkley to Arizona in…
Philadelphia traded quarterback Matt Barkley to Arizona in September 2015 for a conditional 2016 seventh-round pick that could have improved to a sixth. The condition did not escalate, and the Eagles ultimately received pick No. 251, selecting linebacker Joe Walker. Barkley never became an Arizona starter, while Walker played 12 games with three starts for Philadelphia in 2017. The modest result still favors the Eagles.
Arizona Cardinals Received
- player Matt Barkley
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- pick 2016 7th round pick (251st overall, Joe Walker)
Trade Analysis
Why the Deal Happened
Philadelphia entered final roster decisions with a crowded quarterback room and moved Matt Barkley rather than keep him as a reserve. Arizona wanted another developmental option behind Carson Palmer and Drew Stanton. The Cardinals agreed to send a conditional 2016 seventh-round pick that would rise to a sixth if Barkley remained on the roster long enough to trigger the condition.
What Each Side Received
Arizona received Barkley. Philadelphia ultimately received pick No. 251 in the 2016 seventh round, confirming that the compensation did not escalate. The Eagles used the selection on linebacker Joe Walker.
How the Value Developed
Barkley did not become a meaningful part of Arizona's quarterback future. He provided depth but did not deliver regular-season starting value for the Cardinals. Walker missed his rookie season with a knee injury, then returned in 2017 and appeared in 12 games with three starts for Philadelphia. He also contributed on special teams for the Eagles' Super Bowl-winning team before a late-season neck injury. A seventh-round selection is never expected to become a major starter, so getting real defensive and special-teams snaps from the return counts as a positive outcome.
Why Philadelphia Gets the Edge
Neither side risked much. Arizona paid a late conditional pick for a quarterback it wanted to evaluate, while Philadelphia created an asset from a player near the edge of its roster. The difference is realized value: the Eagles got actual regular-season contribution from the player selected with the return, while Barkley's Arizona chapter produced little on-field payoff.
Final Verdict
Philadelphia earns a B- for converting surplus quarterback depth into a late pick that became a useful linebacker. Arizona receives a C because the price was small and the idea was defensible, but Barkley did not provide enough value to match the Eagles' return. The Eagles win by a modest margin.