Saquon Barkley is the highest-paid running back in the NFL but his contract has been subject to debate.
The 28-year-old signed a two-year extension with the Philadelphia Eagles worth $41.2 million but fellow NFL star Travis Kelce has an objection to the deal.
After a historic season for the Eagles which ended in a Super Bowl, Barkley was rewarded with a new deal just one year into his current terms.
It came after Barkley had one of the best seasons ever by a running back as he rushed for 2,504 yards across the regular season and postseason, breaking the single-season record previously held by Terrell Davis.
He was also named to his third Pro Bowl, was selected as a first-team All-Pro, and won the NFL‘s Offensive Player of the Year award.
However, one aspect of Barkley’s contract has caused a bit of stir due to it being reliant upon incentives.
Barkley’s $41 million contract includes $36 million guaranteed but the remaining amount is in incentives and escalators.
The Kelce brothers, who praised Barkley for his new contract, lightly-heartedly criticised the amount of incentive money that was in the deal.
“Ew,” Travis Kelce said when Jason Kelce mentioned that $15 million of Barkley’s contract was in the form of incentives.
“I don’t like that. I don’t like that one bit.”
Jason laughed off the line, with Travis quickly following up, saying “Does he have to get a 2,000-yard season every year? F—.”
Travis was then shocked to find out Jason’s contract regularly had incentives in it too, including being named as an All-Pro or Pro Bowler.
“So you have to rely on someone’s vote to get your incentive?” Travis asked. “Ew! Damn, that’s f—ed up.”
However, Barkley’s contract does have a whopping $36 million guaranteed, so he is being compensated very well by his team relative to other backs in the league.
Last season, the top-paid back in the league, Christian McCaffrey, was making $16 million a year on average.
There were just six running backs making more than $10 million a year, including Barkley at about $13 million.
Barkley himself seem delighted at his new deal when he shared his reaction on social media last week.
“Overflow! Grateful for the Eagles Organization , grateful for my team, grateful for the amazing fans in Philly. Fly Eagles Fly,” Barkley posted to X on Tuesday.
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