Saquon Barkley enjoyed one of the most productive running back seasons in NFL history during his debut campaign with the Eagles. That has resulted in a new contract and accompanying raise. 
Barkley has agreed to a two-year extension worth $41.2MM, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. Two years remained on the Offensive Player of the Year’s original pact prior to this news, but it will substantially increase his earnings. Barkley is now not only the league’s highest-paid running back in terms of annual compensation, but he is the first to sign a deal with an AAV above $20MM.
As part of the financial resurgence of the running back market last offseason, Barkley inked a three-year, $37.75MM deal. The $12.58MM average of that pact moved the former Giant into third in the position’s pecking order and its $26MM in guarantees represented a major investment on the part of the Eagles. Barkley proved to be a worthwhile signing, though, and an even larger commitment has been made. Schefter notes this latest deal includes $36MM locked in at signing, along with an additional $15MM in incentives and escalators.
It will be interesting to see the structure of this new contract. Barkley was set to carry a cap hit of just $7.36MM in 2025, a figure which could raise depending on how his new compensation is paid out. If much of his guaranteed money comes in the form of a signing bonus, though, the added cap charges could be spread out over time (especially if void years are used, which was the case when he signed last spring). Just like the 49ers did last summer with Christian McCaffrey, the Eagles will move forward with a renewed and lucrative investment in a veteran back after seeing him operate as the focal point of the their offense.
Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards in 2024 despite being rested for the Eagles’ regular season finale. That figure was sufficient to break the franchise’s single-season rushing record, and his 2,283 scrimmage yards for the regular season ranked 13th in NFL history. When taking into account the 28-year-old’s output in the playoffs, his 2,504 total yards on the ground represent an all-time record for combined regular and postseason production.
The Eagles will be counting on Barkley being able to replicate that level of success when attempting to defend their Super Bowl title. The team already has a offense featuring a quarterback (Jalen Hurts), two receivers (A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith) and a tight end (Dallas Goedert) each near the top of their respective markets on their current deals. Philadelphia also, course, has a number of notable commitments along the offensive line. The team’s financial planning will now take into account a major Barkley raise over the coming years.
The running back market has long lagged well behind that of other positions. 2024 saw a rebound to an extent, and McCaffrey’s pact (averaging $19MM per year) has now been surpassed in value. Whether or not this Barkley deal represents a turning point from a financial perspective will be an interesting league storyline to follow.
Earned.
Barkley gets a raise, and I’d be shocked if Howie hasn’t structured the contract to give the Eagles cap relief this year.
100% this. Howie doing Howie things.
Howie is starting to work his magic
Barkley earned it for sure and he is one of the “Good” people in the NFL. I’m happy for him that the Giants let him walk because he never would have gotten this contract with them and he definitely would have never won a Super Bowl staying with the Giants.
@3.,
it it stunk seeing him leave and more so to the Eagles. but as you said, he is an awesome person. Glad he is getting paid and won a SB, but again sucks cause it was Eagles. but Howie has done an amazing job constructing that team so hats off to him.
Saquon, how about loans for all your friends here on PFR?
I prefer grants (don’t need to be paid back)
Congrats, well done. Happy for this man.
F**k the eagles.
“We dOnT pAy rUnNiNg BaCkS” joe schoen sucks!
@nyg, we needed some OL picks in 2018 draft, it was one yr too early for for Saq. since then and even now, he would not have helped the Giants get anywhere past the wildcard due to so many holes. I had no problem letting him walk because it would have been a waste of his career staying.
Yea. Why keep a future hall of famer? Im so sick of the argument that the Giants shouldn’t have kept Barkley bc they’re not a good team. From what I gather – teams try to accumulate good players to make the team better. He’s the only reason Jones/daboll had one good season.
Stop justifying letting a hall of Fame skill player walk out the door
He couldn’t be more deserving & I’m glad Howie is working his magic to keep as much of the band together as reasonably possible.
After seeing the season, playoffs and now the new contract Barkley signed, I wonder if Joe Schoen still feels the RB position is devalued. Like he said you don’t pay a QB $40 million per year to hand off to a RB making $12 million a year. Dumb ass.
In most cases, yes, you do. The QB is much more essential to the team’s success than the RB, though there are exceptions, and this is one of them.
“It’s All About The QB” reduces a complex sport to a cliche. Philly’s great 2024 season and SB59 win should send that Dumb Jock trope into the Delaware River.
Congrats to Saquon. Two years, $41 mil, $36 mil up front. A few void years and he has a lot of room to spread out what’s left of the current contract. That is a really nice payday, dang. The Eagles should free up at least another $5 mil.
I think they are going to extend as many of their big contracts as they can until the new TV deal I. 2029. Then they can get a bunch of dead money off the books.
I don’t care what anyone says. This is well deserved. For there to be a rb currently earning more than Barkley I’d laugh out loud. Good stuff Philly