Tori Sheffer

As of an hour ago, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Howie Roseman, went on record saying that Saquon Barkley’s 2024 season was “the best season for any skill position player in NFL history,” and additionally extended Saquon Barkley’s contract for two more years. Now, if you ask just about any fan of the Philadelphia Eagles, they would gladly hype up the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year, but going beyond the fanbase that bleeds green, you’d think there’d be more objections to this statement. However, when you have that much talent, it doesn’t come as a surprise that football fans across the country, yes, even Kansas City, could agree that Barkley had one of the best years for an offensive player.

During this season, as some know, Barkley became just the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, setting a franchise record in the process (his 2,005 rushing yards were the eighth most in a regular season in NFL history). However, if you include the Eagles’ postseason appearances this past season, including the Super Bowl, he set a new all-time NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season with 2,504, scoring a total of 20 touchdowns throughout the Eagles’ 2024 season. The newest long-term Eagle also led the league with another franchise record 2,283 yards from scrimmage, which was a league-high 34.8% of the team’s output, while adding 15 total touchdowns in the regular season. From his iconic reverse hurdle against the Jaguars to setting the franchise’s single-game rushing record in the regular season with 255 yards against the Rams, to just completely dominating said LA Rams and topping over 200 yards (205, specifically) in the divisional round win while setting the team’s single-game playoff record, he just could not be stopped on the field.

However, Barkley’s icon status didn’t just switch “on” whenever he hit the field. His leadership completely transformed the Eagles’ locker room mentality. While his teammates, coaches, and front office staff were all dazzled with his work ethic on the field, it was his off-field mantras and personality that solidified to all members of the Eagles organization that he should be a bird for years to come. This year’s championship and Barkley’s first year in the Eagles organization somewhat will reset the team, and 2K Say’s presence will be a cornerstone of this franchise for years to come.

With this extension, Barkley’s three-year deal has made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history, which he completely deserves, if you ask this Eagles fan. His two-year, $41.2 million extension solidifies him as the first $20 million-per-year running back in the NFL, including $36 million fully guaranteed. During free agency last offseason, Barkley and the Eagles agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million contract, but with this signing, this means that Barkley will be here for at least another four seasons. Howie Roseman is known to set the NFL market, not chase after it, and after seeing all that Barkley can do with a team that elevates him and his talent, it was a no-brainer for them to sign one of the best generational talents in the present-day game.

Personally, I think this is a fantastic move by the Eagles on the precipice of an extremely important free agency where they will hopefully retain some of our key defensive pieces this free agency (in addition, hopefully retaining a favorite player of mine: Offensive Tackle Mekhi Becton). Let me know what you think, and as always, go birds.