Amid the recent flurry of moves in the NFL, Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley wants to see his fellow running backs get paid.
Barkley signed a two-year, $41 million contract extension last week to make him the highest-paid back in the league. On Monday, he expressed his hopes of changing the running back market where only one other player makes more than $14 million annually.
During a press conference, Barkley mentioned Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and James Cook while expressing hope that his contract paves the way for other running backs to secure lucrative deals.
“That’s kinda how I look at it ... I don’t care [if] this guy’s getting paid more than me or not. That’s what the sport is about: building the position up.”
Cook has a four-year, $5.83 million rookie deal with the Buffalo Bills and one year left on the contract in 2025. In three seasons, Cook has rushed for 2,638 yards and 20 touchdowns, 16 in 2024, as a key part of the Bills’ offense.
Gibbs also has a four-year rookie contract, but it’s $17.84 million with two years left. The third-year Detroit Lions back has 2,357 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns in two seasons.
A former No. 8 pick, Atlanta Falcons running back Robinson has a four-year, $21.95 million rookie contract with two years left. Robinson has been an offensive spark plug for the Falcons amid 2,432 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns plus 918 yards receiving and five touchdowns in two seasons.
While those three backs have stepped up big for their respective teams, Barkley is fresh off an all-time great season of 2,005 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns plus 278 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Barkley will earn $20.6 million annually; the next closest is San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, who makes $19 million annually.
McCaffrey turned in an MVP-worthy season in 2023 with 1,459 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns plus 564 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. Injuries derailed his 2024 season as he only appeared in four games and touched the ball only 65 times, with 348 all-purpose yards and no touchdowns.
Indianapolis Colts star running back Jonathan Taylor is the third-highest-paid back at $14 million annually, and he has been an MVP contender. Taylor had another strong season in 2024 with 1,431 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns plus 136 yards receiving and a score.
Running backs generally have been on the downturn for years when it comes to pay. NFL teams often hit the draft for new talent, and veteran backs lose value on the open market as they approach 30 years of age.
Meanwhile, other positions, such as wide receiver, generally increase in value amid accrued years. Minnesota Vikings superstar Justin Jefferson averages $35 million per year, five other wideouts average between $30 million and $34 million, and another 17 average between $20 million and $28 million.
Barkley doesn’t want to see the next crop of rookie running backs and beyond succumbing to the same challenge he and his peers face. In his case, he changed teams in search of a bigger contract in 2024 when he left the New York Giants for the Eagles.
“It’s putting the position up, and all those guys who are underneath me right now, when there’s a time, they beat it and max it out even more,” Barkley told reporters.
“And in five and 10 years, all those guys who are playing in high school and college right now. That’s the goal. It’s happening for every other position. I think it should happen for our position, too.”
