Tag: Saquon Barkley

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) celebrates after defeating the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Reports: Eagles give RB Saquon Barkley $41.2M contract extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and star Saquon Barkley have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $41.2 million that makes him the first $20-plus million running back in NFL history, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.

The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year concluded a record-breaking first season with the Eagles with a victory over the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs on his 28th birthday on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9.

The new deal, which keeps Barkley under contract through 2028, includes $36 million guaranteed with $15 million more in incentives, per reports. The guaranteed money is the most for a running back on a contract of three years or less, according to Over The Cap.

Barkley was making about $12.6 annually under a three-year contract he signed as a free agent last offseason with Philadelphia with a base value totaling $37.75 million. That included $26 million guaranteed plus incentives.

The three-time Pro Bowl selection was a first-team All-Pro in 2024, when he led the league with 345 carries for 2,005 yards and a 125.3 per game average in scoring 13 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games (all starts). He also caught 33 passes for 278 yards and two TDs.

He rushed 91 more times in four playoff games for 499 yards and five TDs, giving him a single-season record of 2,504 yards to pass Terrell Davis.

Barkley has in his career rushed 1,546 times for 7,216 yards and 48 TDs and caught 321 passes for 2,378 yards and 14 scores in 90 regular-season games (all starts) for the New York Giants (2018-23) and Eagles.

The Giants selected him second overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Penn State.

–Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a press conference in advance of Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley can earn another bonus if Eagles win SB LIX

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Saquon Barkley will have many reasons to enjoy his 28th birthday, provided the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday night in New Orleans.

An Eagles’ victory in the big game would net Barkley a $250,000 incentive bonus, which would match the total he received after Philadelphia’s 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game. Barkley rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

Barkley, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, already has earned $3 million in incentives, per ESPN. That’s quite the boost for Barkley, who signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million last March — complete with an $11.625 million signing bonus.

Barkley also could make NFL history on Sunday. His 2,447 rushing yards accumulated over the regular season (2,005) and the playoffs (442) are just 29 shy of the NFL record held by Terrell Davis, set in 1998 with the Denver Broncos.

Barkley joined the Eagles in the offseason after a six-year run with the New York Giants, with whom he totaled 5,211 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. This season, his yards gained and his 15 rushing touchdowns spearheaded the Eagles’ potent ground game during their push to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl LIX appearance.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Barkley was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024. He also earned several Rookie of the Year awards in 2018 before winning the Bert Bell Award (top NFL player) in 2024.

–Field Level Media

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (2) looks to pass the ball during a game between New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.

Giants aim to avert franchise record in finale vs. resting Eagles

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With the host Philadelphia Eagles resting key players on Sunday, the New York Giants will attempt to avoid finishing with the most losses in the franchise’s 100-year history.

The Giants (3-13) have never lost 14 games in a season, finishing 4-13 in 2021 and 3-13 in 2017. New York enters Week 18 tied with three other teams (New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns) for the worst record in the NFL.

Although it weakened their shot at the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Giants ended a team-record 10-game losing streak with last weekend’s 45-33 win against the Indianapolis Colts.

The Eagles (13-3), meanwhile, are locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC and likely will rest 2,005-yard rusher Saquon Barkley and other starters for the playoffs.

“He’ll probably be somebody that rests,” Eagles coach Nick Sirianni confirmed Wednesday.

Barkley is 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season record of 2,105 yards, set in 1984.

“Obviously it’s a very special record that’s been standing for a very long time by a great player. It’s a team record that everybody’s involved in. You weigh all those things,” Sirianni said. “But at the end of the day, you just try to do what’s best for the team.

“… We’ve put ourselves in a position to be in this situation … It wasn’t the easiest decision to go through, but we have great people in this building and had a lot of input from a lot of people, players included.”

New York coach Brian Daboll spoke to reporters just before Sirianni announced the plan to sit Barkley, who played his first six NFL seasons with the Giants (2018-23).

“We’ll just prepare like we normally do, in meetings and practice and get ready to play our game,” Daboll said.

“… I’d say they’ve got a good football team, and Saquon’s a good football player. Got a lot of wins, productive, good team.”

Much has changed since Philadelphia’s 28-3 win over the Giants at the MetLife Stadium in Week 7. Daniel Jones was still the Giants’ quarterback and was sacked seven times, finishing with 99 yards on 14-of-21 passing. Jalen Hurts threw a TD pass and rushed for two scores to lead the Eagles.

Jones is now on the Minnesota Vikings’ practice squad, while Hurts remained in concussion protocol Wednesday. Drew Lock will make his fifth start under center for the Giants on Sunday.

Sirianni said Wednesday that no decision has been made on which quarterback will start against the Giants in light of Kenny Pickett’s rib injury. Tanner McKee or Ian Book could get the nod for the Eagles.

The Eagles, who limited the Giants’ offense to 119 total yards in Week 7, have won six of the last seven meetings between the NFC East rivals, including playoffs.

With a victory, Philadelphia would match the franchise record set in 2022, when the team finished 14-3 and lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LVII.

In addition to Hurts and Pickett, wide receivers A.J. Brown (knee, rest) and DeVonta Smith (wrist, rest) were listed as non-participants in Wednesday’s walk-through practice. The Eagles opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) on Wednesday.

Linebacker Micah McFadden (neck), center John Michael Schmitz Jr. (ankle) and right tackle Evan Neal (rib, hip) did not practice Wednesday for the Giants. Defensive tackle Armon Watts is out following knee surgery.

–Field Level Media

Dec 29, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is tackled by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley ninth player with 2,000-yard rushing season

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley became the ninth player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season on Sunday.

Barkley entered the game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys needing 162 yards to join the exclusive club.

He reached the milestone with a 23-yard run with about 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and Philadelphia leading 34-7. That gave him 167 for the day on 31 carries and 2,005 for the season.

With one game remaining, Barkley has a chance to break Eric Dickerson’s NFL single-season record of 2,105 yards, set during a 16-game season in 1984.

In addition to Dickerson, the others to rush for 2,000 yards are Adrian Peterson, Jamal Lewis, Barry Sanders, Derrick Henry, Terrell Davis, Chris Johnson and O.J. Simpson.

With the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC, it’s unclear whether Barkley will play in next weekend’s regular-season finale against his former team, the New York Giants.

Barkley also broke LeSean McCoy’s 2013 franchise record of 2,146 all-purpose yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball against the Cleveland Browns during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Eagles RB Saquon Barkley fined $45K for helmet-to-helmet hit

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley was fined $45,020 for a helmet-to-helmet on the Cleveland Browns’ Maurice Hurst during a game last weekend.

Barkley was near the end of a punishing 8-yard run in the first quarter when he bounced off a trio of Browns tacklers then lowered his head as he battled for extra yardage. Hurst also lowered his head at the point of contact, with the crown of Barkley’s helmet hitting the side of Hurst’s.

No penalty was called on the play.

According to Pro Football Talk, the NFL’s discipline of Barkley was the largest fine of Week 6. The Eagles went on to a 20-16 victory while improving to 3-2.

Barkley, 27, has rushed for 482 yards and four touchdowns on 91 carries over five games in his first season with the Eagles.

In seven NFL seasons, the first six with the New York Giants, Barkley has run for 5,693 yards on 1,292 carries with 39 touchdowns in 79 games. He also has 302 receptions for 2,192 yards and 13 TDs.

–Field Level Media

Jan 7, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) breaks a tackle by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Zach Cunningham (52) for a rushing touchdown during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

Eagles welcome RB Saquon Barkley with $37.75M deal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Philadelphia Eagles welcomed running back Saquon Barkley back to the Keystone State on Wednesday.

Barkley starred at Penn State before playing the last six seasons with the NFC East rival New York Giants.

The 27-year-old free agent agreed to a three-year deal worth a reported $37.75 million. His $12.583 million annual average salary ranks fourth among NFL running backs, per Spotrac.

Barkley rushed for 962 yards and six touchdowns in 14 starts last season, just shy of his fourth 1,000-yard season. In his final appearance for the Giants, he posted 97 yards from scrimmage and two scores in a 27-10 victory over the Eagles in Week 18.

Barkley gained 865 yards (615 rushing, 250 receiving) with seven TDs in nine career games against Philadelphia.

Drafted No. 2 overall in 2018, Barkley won Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and made two Pro Bowls with New York. He ranks fourth in franchise history with 5,211 rushing yards in 74 starts.

Barkley replaces D’Andre Swift, who finished fifth in the NFL with a career-high 1,049 rushing yards during his lone season with the Eagles in 2023. Swift, who signed with the Chicago Bears, had replaced Miles Sanders, who ranked fifth in the NFL with a career-best 1,269 rushing yards for Philadelphia in 2022.

Barkley’s front-loaded deal reportedly includes $25.5 million guaranteed and a signing bonus of $11.625 million. Only $1.5 million of his $12 million base salary for the 2026 season is guaranteed.

He was an All-American and a two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year at Penn State, where he rushed for 3,843 yards and 43 touchdowns in three seasons (2015-17).

–Field Level Media

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) takes the field at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, January 7, 2024.

Giants GM says franchise tag for Saquon Barkley still a possibility

Posted on | by Field Level Media

INDIANAPOLIS — The odds are against the New York Giants using the franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley, but general manager Joe Schoen said the team still considers it a possibility.

“I wouldn’t say the franchise tag is off the table, no,” Schoen said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Using the franchise tag on Barkley for a second straight year would cost $12.1 million, a number Schoen noted is not much more — approximately $200,000 more — than if the team were to put the franchise tag on a running back for the first time.

“The salary cap changes your philosophy on how you’re going to attack things. That’s not off the table,” Schoen said. “We don’t want to do it. In a perfect world, we don’t want to do that again.”

It also likely would not sit well with Barkley, 27, who has made it clear for more than a year that he does not want to be tagged. After totaling a career-high 1,312 rushing yards in 16 games in 2022, he and the Giants couldn’t come to an agreement on a long-term deal and Barkley settled for an adjusted franchise tag in the offseason.

At the end of the 2023 season, Barkley said he was “numb” to the possibility of being hit with the franchise tag for a second time and was skipping the Giants’ open-door policy exit interviews.

“I went through the whole process last year. We talked more than enough last year, to be honest. I’m gonna let my agents handle that,” Barkley said in January.

Schoen said Tuesday the team already has plans to meet with Barkley’s representatives this week.

“The conversation, the plan all along, was to meet here in Indy and have those discussions about how we’re going to move forward with him,” Schoen said. “He’s a guy we’d like to have back. So, those conversations will take place this week, and we’ll see if we can get something done with him.”

Schoen acknowledged the past struggles over the franchise tag with Barkley but expressed optimism about coming to an agreement with the two-time Pro Bowl selection.

“I think we’ve all grown, Saquon, myself, the organization, through the last 12, 13, 14 months,” Schoen said, noting that Barkley’s new agent, Ed Berry, is someone they have a “really good” relationship with.

“Saquon may be in a different place now than he was then in terms of understanding the market and the business side of it. I’m looking forward to having those conversations with him.”

Drafted by the Giants with the No. 2 pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Barkley started all 14 games he played in last season, rushing for 962 yards and six touchdowns. He also caught 41 passes for 280 yards and four scores.

In six seasons with the Giants, Barkley has rushed for 5,211 yards and 35 touchdowns on 1,201 carries in 74 games (all starts). He also has 288 receptions for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media