Saquon Barkley Becomes NFL’s Highest-Paid RB with Eagles

Saquon Barkley bet on himself before the 2024-25 NFL season took place — and it paid off about as well as one could imagine.

Barkley had a fantastic year for the Philadephia Eagles after signing a short-term deal with the franchise. He piled up career-highs in rushing yards (2,005), TDs (13), yards from scrimmage (2,283), rushing yards per game (125.3), and touches (345). In the process, Barkley was named a First Team All-Pro selection, the Offensive Player of the Year, and a Pro Bowler. Above all else, he helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl over the Kansas City Chiefs.

In the wake of this career year, the best running back in professional football will now be compensated appropriately.

Adam Schefter reported Tuesday afternoon that Barkley agreed to a two-year extension worth $41.2 million. He will get $36 million guaranteed, and there’s a stipulation where he could earn another $15 million based on various incentives. This contract has been added onto the initial three-year deal Barkley inked at the start of this year — meaning that he won’t hit free agency again for another four years.

This deal is noteworthy from the standpoint that Barkley became the highest-paid RB in NFL history. He’s the first running back to earn an annual average of $20 million.

The pairing was a match made in heaven. A native of the Northeast, Barkley was able to return to the same state he had played in for college. Philadelphia had all of the resources put in place to maximize Barkley’s unique talents — something the New York Giants failed to do on a consistent basis.

As he demonstrated this year, Barkley appears to be fully recovered from the knee injury he had suffered in 2020. With an elite offensive line and a front office dedicated to winning, one could envision Barkley’s prime being extended even further. The Eagles now will focus their efforts on re-signing some of their free agents from this year’s Super Bowl team.