Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley didn’t just carry his team to a Super Bowl title; he carried himself all the way to the top of the NFL’s merchandise throne.
And once the NFLPA’s list came out, Barkley had something short and powerful to say in response.
Saquon Barkley Tops NFL’s Retail List After Monster Season With Philadelphia Eagles
After overtaking Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes for the No. 1 spot in the NFLPA’s retail sales list from 2024, Barkley took to Instagram to repost Adam Schefter’s announcement with a four-word message: “nothing like our fans🖤🦅.” It was short, heartfelt, and entirely on brand for one of the NFL’s most marketable stars.
Barkley became the first running back since Ezekiel Elliott in 2017 to finish No. 1 on the NFLPA’s year-end Top 50 player sales list. His performance during the 2024 season, where he led the league with 2,005 rushing yards and helped Philadelphia win Super Bowl 59, made him a household name far beyond the field.
From jerseys to bobbleheads, Barkley led sales across more than 85 officially licensed NFL products between March 1, 2024, and Feb. 28, 2025. The rankings encompass a wide range of items, from apparel and Funko Pop figures to wall decals and drinkware.
NFLPA Vice President of Consumer Products Ben Ruiz called it “a perfect storm.”
“[Barkley is] a generational talent with individual star power and joined a team in free agency that a lot of people felt were on the cusp of a championship,” Ruiz said. “He came in and delivered in spades.”
It’s rare for a running back to command this level of commercial attention in today’s pass-first league. But Barkley changed the narrative in 2024, both on the field and at the checkout counter.
NFL’s Top-Selling Player Merch: Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, and Jayden Daniels Shine
Patrick Mahomes finished second, marking his seventh consecutive year in the top five. Super Bowl MVP and Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts ranked No. 3, followed by Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels and Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud.
Buffalo Bills quarterback and league MVP Josh Allen came in at No. 6, while Lions pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson was the highest-ranked defender at No. 7. Rounding out the top 10 were Amon-Ra St. Brown, Micah Parsons, and Justin Jefferson.
The Eagles dominated the full Top 50 list, with A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Cooper DeJean all earning spots as well.
For Barkley, though, the message is simple: He’s not just the best runner in football, he’s also the league’s hottest brand.
