The Philadelphia Eagles and running back Saquon Barkley have agreed to a two-year extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, according to a league source. Barkley’s two-year, $41.2 million extension makes him the first $20 million-per-year running back in the NFL. The deal includes $36 million fully guaranteed.
Barkley, 28, and the Eagles agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million contract during free agency last offseason, a deal that already included the second-most total guaranteed money among active running backs. In his first year away from the New York Giants, Barkley put up historic numbers, becoming the ninth player in NFL history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards. He finished the season with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, with an additional 278 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns, earning himself Offensive Player of the Year honors.
That dominant run stretched into the Eagles’ postseason as Barkley rushed for 499 yards and five rushing touchdowns, the third-most rushing yards in a single NFL postseason. He also became the first player with three touchdowns of at least 60 yards during a single postseason. During the Eagles’ Super Bowl victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, Barkley broke Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Davis’ record for most rushing yards in the regular season and playoffs combined with 2,504 yards.
With Philadelphia reaching a new agreement just one year into his three-year deal, Barkley is now set to remain with the Eagles through the 2028 season.
Barkley’s impact on the Eagles during their Super Bowl season was nearly immeasurable. General manager Howie Roseman, an executive who was previously stingy in awarding contracts to running backs, amended his strategy to initially lure Barkley away from their NFC East rival by signing him first to a three-year deal that included the then-highest annual payments the Eagles had ever given a running back.
Barkley earned that and more. He shattered the team’s single-season rushing record and eventually broke Davis’ single-season record for most combined rushing yards. Beyond that, Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore shaped the offensive system around Barkley, running the ball more times per game than the Eagles had done since 1978.
Barkley remains a fixture for the franchise. He’ll be at the center of whatever system adaptations the team makes under promoted offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Barkley’s impact also extends to mentorship with a young locker room with upcoming leaders who are entering or are in the middle of their prime. Roseman, aggressive in his team-building strategy, will certainly believe that this is money well spent. —
Roseman prefers to set the market instead of chasing it. By extending Barkley early, the Eagles are signing Barkley at a price that comes before whatever increased value the running back position would have in the wake of Barkley’s success.