Saquon Barkley Becomes Highest-Paid RB in NFL History

Saquon Barkley has reset the NFL’s running back market. The former Penn State standout who helped lead the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl victory this past season has signed a contract extension with the franchise, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Tuesday. Barkley’s two-year extension is reportedly worth $41.2, making him the highest paid running back in NFL history.

Barkley’s new deal comes after a season that saw him become the league’s offensive player of the year and set the all-time record for rushing yards in a season, including playoffs, with 2,504 yards. The greatness that Barkley once showcased as an All-American with the Nittany Lions has only grown over seven seasons as a pro.

“Saquon’s a franchise player at the running back position, and I think just a special, special player who can do everything that you’re looking for at the running back position,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said at the NFL Scouting Combine last Wednesday. “Obviously, unbelievable character.”

After bursting onto the scene in 2018 as an All-Pro and the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year with the New York Giants, Barkley dealt with injuries for a significant portion of his tenure in New York. He moved on last offseason, joining a franchise in Philadelphia that possessed one of the NFL’s top offensive lines.

Barkley led the NFL with 345 rushing attempts and 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 yards shy of Eric Dickerson’s all-time regular season record. For the first time since his rookie year, Barkley was named an All-Pro. He also finished third in MVP voting.