NFL
Saquon Barkley Becomes Highest-Paid RB In NFL After Contract Extension

After a historic season, the Philadelphia Eagles are rewarding Saquon Barkley with a contract extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley Receives Historic Contract Extension
Safe to say, 2K SA is here to stay.
We've agreed to with @saquon on a two-year contract extension.@Toyota | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/7FGKt2zLBh
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 4, 2025
The Eagles and Barkley have agreed to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Tuesday.
Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Barkley agreed to a two-year, $41.2 million contract extension.
The deal includes $36 million guaranteed at g, with $15 million in incentives. Barkley is now under contract through the 2028 season.
After spending his first six seasons with the New York Giants, Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with the Eagles last offseason.
Barkley then proceeded to have one of the best seasons ever by a running back.
Barkley became the ninth player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. The 28-year-old finished with 2,005 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Barkley came up short of Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record of 2,105 yards.
While Barkley could not catch Dickerson, the Eagles running back did set the new single-season rushing record, including playoffs, with 2,504 yards. Barkley ed Terrell Davis, who rushed for 2,476 yards in 1998.
Barkley was named First-team All-Pro and the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year.
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. The deal makes Barkley the NFL’s first $20 million+ per-year running back. Barkley also has the ability to earn an… pic.twitter.com/h5iEf5IWe2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2025
NFL’s Highest-Paid RBs
Player | Team | Average Salary |
Saquon Barkley | PHI | $20,600,000 |
Christian McCaffrey | SF | $19,000,000 |
Jonathan Taylor | IND | $14,000,000 |
Alvin Kamara | NO | $12,250,000 |
Josh Jacobs | GB | $12,000,000 |
Joe Mixon | HOU | $9,875,000 |
James Conner | ARI | $9,500,000 |
David Montgomery | DET | $9,125,000 |
Rhamondre Stevenson | NE | $9,000,000 |
Chuba Hubbard | CAR | $8,300,000 |
With the new contract, Barkley becomes the NFL’s first running back with an average salary suring $20 million.
San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey previously held the record at $19 million.
Buffalo’s James Cook is the next player looking to enter the top 10 for highest-paid running backs.
Earlier this offseason, Cook said he’s looking to make around $15 million annually, which would make him the third-highest paid running back. Cook is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Cook reacted to Barkley’s deal on X with an eyes emoji.
— James Cook (@thegreat__4) March 4, 2025