PHILADELPHIA — Saquon Barkley has achieved great success with the Philadelphia Eagles, capturing a Super Bowl title and setting a new NFL benchmark for single-season rushing yards, inclusive of playoff games. Alongside his on-field accomplishments, he has set a new standard for running back salaries.
With a clear focus on his legacy in the sport, Barkley addressed the media on Monday to talk about his two-year, $41.2 million contract extension. This deal, with $36 million guaranteed, positions him as the highest-paid running back in the league. However, Barkley’s eyes are already set on what he hopes will be the pinnacle season of his career.
“My aim is to be among the greatest running backs in history, if not the greatest,” Barkley remarked. “Hopefully, I can achieve that while wearing an Eagles jersey.”
At the age of 28, Barkley played a crucial role in the Eagles’ victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, with a 40-22 win that secured the team’s second Super Bowl championship. He shared his excitement about the victory coinciding with his birthday, expressing, “The parade was exhilarating, and winning a Super Bowl on my birthday was a memorable moment. Being a champion sinks in, but soon you refocus on doing it again. That’s just the competitive spirit of the sport—you celebrate, then you prepare for the next challenge.”
Barkley narrowly missed breaking Eric Dickerson’s regular-season rushing record, needing 101 yards to surpass it. He was rested during a non-essential Week 18 contest against his former team, the New York Giants. Nevertheless, his total of 2,504 rushing yards from the season’s start through the Super Bowl outstripped Terrell Davis’ record of 2,476 yards.
Currently planning to ramp up his training come April, Barkley has already begun discussions with running backs coach Jemal Singleton about refining his skills, including improving his left-hand ball control. “Last year is behind us, and it’s essential to innovate and excel anew,” Barkley stated.
In an era where running backs have been undervalued, Barkley hopes his lucrative contract will pave the way for others like James Cook, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs to secure their financial worth in the industry. He aims for his contract to soon be surpassed, fostering a better market for upcoming players.
“I expect them to outdo this deal,” Barkley expressed. “This sport is about advancing and lifting our position so that emerging talents, when their time arrives, can achieve even greater deals. I hope that in five to ten years, the same opportunities await the young running backs now playing in high school and college. Every position has seen growth, and running backs deserve that, too.”
