Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley had one of the best seasons by a running back in recent memory in 2024. He was the driving force of the Eagles offense and helped lead them to a Super Bowl. As a result of his stellar play, he was given a huge, two-year, $41.2 million contract extension. This new contract makes him the highest-paid running back in the league.
NFL Insider Breaks Down the Ramifications of Saquon Barkley’s New Contract Extension
Following the news that Saquon Barkley had signed a huge contract extension, insider Adam Schefter appeared on ‘NFL on ESPN’ on Tuesday. He spoke about the ramifications of Barkley’s new deal.
“Listen, I think for the first time we’ve begun to see running backs be paid and I think the value of running backs has begun to be reestablished in the draft where we’ve seen running backs now get drafted higher than in other years. Remember there were some years where we didn’t see running backs go high. Now all of a sudden, we’ve seen Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs go in the same draft.”
“We’re seeing running backs go higher. This might be the finest running back draft class we’ve seen in recent memory and eventually all these outstanding young running backs are going to be paid, and Saquon Barkley today is helping pave the way for other running backs in the future. Creating a new benchmark by which they will try to achieve in the future.”
“With the cap going up, it makes it easier to do and now we’re starting to see, very gradually, running backs achieve some of the value in their contracts, but you’re also starting to see in the draft, which later on will equate to bigger deals in free agency.”
"Saquon Barkley today is [helping pave] the way for other running backs in the future."@AdamSchefter spoke on the "gradual" change in RB value 📈 pic.twitter.com/HwP36VWvNJ
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL)
Adam Schefter spoke about the reemergence of running back as a highly valued position. For many years, running backs’ value was decreasing because they typically have much shorter careers than other positions. However, with the emergence of players like Saquon Barkley, teams are more willing to take risks on RBs early in the draft.
The 2025 NFL draft is filled with many elite running backs who could go high in the draft. Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the most notable option and could even get picked in the top 10. However, other players like North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton, and Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo are also highly rated prospects in this year’s draft.
