Saquon Barkley's new Eagles contract will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, report says

Nearly one year after signing his first contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, former Penn State star Saquon Barkley is getting an extension that will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. ESPN insider Adam Schefter first reported the news on Tuesday.

“Eagles are rewarding Saquon Barkley with a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, per sources,” Schefter wrote on Twitter. “The deal makes Barkley the NFL’s first $20 million+ per-year running back. Barkley also has the ability to earn an additional $15 million in incentives and escalators. The deal includes $36 million fully guaranteed at signing. The Eagles are taking the rare step of extending Barkley one year into his three-year deal – and in the same league year in which they signed him to the initial contract.”

Barkley had a record-setting first season for the Super Bowl champs. After signing a three-year, $37.75 million contract on March 11, 2024, the Coplay, Pa., native would go on to become just the ninth player in NFL history to rush for more than 2,000 yards (with 2,005) during the regular season. He would have likely broken Eric Dickerson’s regular season record of 2,105 had he played in the regular season finale. But, Barkley and the Eagles opted to rest him for the postseason. The plan worked. He rushed 91 times for 499 yards and five touchdowns in the Playoffs to help break Terrell Davis’ all-time single-season rushing record when regular and postseason results are combined and added 13 receptions for 25 yards. Barkley finished with 2,504 rushing yards during his first season with the Eagles.

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At this time a year ago, there was no indication that two Penn State alumni would play a crucial role in guiding the Philadelphia Eagles to their second Super Bowl in the last seven seasons. Before Saquon Barkley could have a record-setting season with his second NFL and NFC team, he first had to sign with them. That did not happen until March 13, 2024.

And, the former Nittany Lion who got the Birds within a play of their first of four touchdowns in the title game thanks to a 27-yard pitch and catch that was initially ruled a score but later overturned to set-up Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ one-yard tush push touchdown to give his team the first and only lead it would need, Jahan Dotson, did not even arrive in The City of Brotherly Love until the Eagles acquired him via a trade with the Washington Commanders on Aug. 22, just 15 days before the 2024 season opened. 

Dotson’s first quarter catch was one of his two en route to hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in New Orleans, and he finished with 42 yards. While it’s fair to say his first season in Philadelphia perhaps didn’t go as planned on the stat sheet, he scored a key touchdown in a Divisional Round win over the Green Bay Packers in addition to his key catch in the Super Bowl. The Eagles now must decide if they will exercise his fifth-year option or not.

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As for Barkley, there is not enough space on this page to list what he accomplished during a resurgent season. While he did not find the end zone in the Super Bowl, he was a key cog in the offense, carrying 25 times for 57 yards while also catching 6 passes for 40 yards. On the year, he accumulated 2,504 rushing yards and 2,857 yards from scrimmage, which both are new NFL records after he dethroned Terrell Davis in both categories. Barkley was also the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year, an honor that was also bestowed on him by the Sporting News and the Pro Football Writers’ Association. He was also a first-team All-Pro and made his third Pro Bowl.

Two other one-time Nittany Lions were also at the Super Bowl. Cornerback Tariq Castro-Fields, a member of the Eagles’ practice squad, joins Barkley and Dotson as Super Bowl champs. Former Penn State offensive lineman Hunter Nourzad, then, did not play but was active for the Chiefs in the title game after playing some, mostly on special teams, earlier in the postseason and also during the regular season. For him and Kansas City, the goal will be to make their fourth Super Bowl in a row during the 2025 season and restart the two-year winning streak the Eagles ended. For Barkley, Dotson, and Castro-Fields, then, their focus will be to start preparing for the kind of effort needed to try and build a dynasty in Philadelphia.