Eagles Reevaluate Saquon Barkley’s Value
The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX, securing their second championship in franchise history, with quarterback Jalen Hurts earning Super Bowl MVP honors.
However, it’s hard to deny that running back Saquon Barkley was arguably the most crucial player to the Eagles’ success throughout the season. Barkley had an opportunity to break the single-season rushing record, but opted to rest before the final week of the season after the Eagles had already locked in their playoff seeding.
Barkley initially joined the Eagles in free agency, but after his dominant 2024 season, the team has reassessed his worth. The Eagles have now made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, “The Eagles are rewarding Saquon Barkley with a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. The deal also makes Barkley the first running back in the NFL to earn more than $20 million per year. In addition, Barkley can earn up to $15 million in incentives and escalators.”
The contract includes $36 million guaranteed at signing. This move is unusual for the Eagles, as they are extending Barkley one year into his initial three-year deal, even within the same league year they signed him.
Earlier in March, the Eagles made headlines by signing Barkley to a three-year, $38 million contract. This was considered a surprising move by the franchise, which hasn’t always been willing to invest significantly in the running back position.
Despite a general trend of low salaries for running backs across the league, the Eagles saw an opportunity to invest in Barkley, believing he would benefit from playing with a more well-rounded team than what he had in New York.
Last offseason, Christian McCaffrey was the highest-paid running back, earning $16 million per year. Only six running backs made more than $10 million annually, including Barkley at $13 million. Meanwhile, 16 wide receivers were making over $20 million per year, and 13 other players made $10 million or more, many of whom were not the primary receiving option on their team.
“Has the pendulum swung too far for this position — the guy touches the ball 300 times a year, hopefully?” said Eagles GM Howie Roseman last March. “Not many other skill position players are touching the ball that much and having that kind of impact.”
With this new deal, the tide could begin to shift back in favor of running backs.
Barkley, 28, has amassed 7,216 rushing yards over seven seasons with the Giants and Eagles, scoring 48 touchdowns. This season, he was named to his third Pro Bowl, selected as a first-team All-Pro, and was honored as the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.
