The running back position has gone through a mini-revival in the NFL over the last few years. Thanks to some truly historic numbers from the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Derrick Henry, the run game has become a prominent feature of offenses league-wide once again.
Those exorbitant numbers have also led to some historic contract extensions for the likes of Barkley and Henry this summer. After arriving on the Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens on prove-it deals last summer, their play earned them massive paychecks. But, between the two, how are the two contracts shaping up?
Comparing Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley Contract Extensions
Both Barkley and Henry joined their new teams on relatively low-key deals. While the former New York Giant got a three-year contract worth $37.75 million, Henry came on board with the Ravens with a two-year deal worth $16 million.
However, both running backs had exceptional seasons. Barkley put together the ninth season in NFL history with over 2,000 rushing yards in a season, finishing with 2,005 yards in 16 games, before breaking the single-season record during Philly’s run to the Super Bowl.
Henry, too, wasn’t far behind. Already a member of that nine-person list, he came close, finishing with 1,921 yards and a league-leading 16 rushing touchdowns. As a result, both men got contract extensions that were historic in multiple ways.
Barkley signed a two-year extension worth $41.2 million, making him the highest-paid running back in league history by a wide margin. He is the first RB to earn over $20 million in a season, and has the chance to increase his earnings by an additional $15 million based on incentives and escalators.
Henry, on the other hand, also got a two-year extension, albeit worth $30 million. While significantly less than the Eagles’ offer for their superstar running back in total sum, Henry’s deal comes at the age of 31 with one year still remaining on his contract.
Derrick Henry and the Baltimore Ravens reached agreement today on a two-year, $30 million extension that includes $25 million fully guaranteed over the next two seasons, per Todd France of Athletes First. It is the largest deal in NFL history for a running back over 30 years old. pic.twitter.com/aeeqmHczPb
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) May 14, 2025
The contract is the highest-ever in NFL history for a running back past the age of 30 and comes with $25 million guaranteed over the next two years, while also nearly doubling his earnings from his first contract with Baltimore.
Both Henry and Barkley have been historically good for their new teams, so much so that they’ve altered the way offenses function around the league. And, for the foreseeable future, they’re going to continue to run havoc with their squads.
