An unidentified NFL executive has voiced skepticism about the contracts of Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, suggesting they might be overpaid. The executive expressed surprise at their deals, indicating that nothing significant warranted such contracts compared to recent trends.
Last offseason saw considerable buzz around star running backs like Jonathan Taylor, Barkley, and Jacobs seeking extensions, none of which materialized before summer. Barkley and the Giants settled for an adjusted franchise tag in July, while Jacobs received a salary bump from the Raiders in late August.
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Taylor eventually signed a lucrative three-year, $42M extension with the Colts in October, offering a glimpse of what was to come. In March 2024, Barkley inked a three-year, $37.75M deal with the Eagles, potentially reaching $46.75M with significant guarantees. Around the same time, Jacobs secured a four-year, $48M contract with the Packers, including $12.5M guaranteed.
Despite these signings, teams like the Giants and Raiders appeared unfazed by losing their lead running backs, preferring a budget-conscious approach and rotational backfields. Some coaches even predict that running backs’ salaries will regress to being among the lowest-paid positions soon.
The Cleveland Browns renegotiated Nick Chubb’s contract after he suffered multiple injuries, reflecting his value beyond his on-field performance. An NFL source suggested the Browns might have let him go this offseason if not for his character and leadership.
Overall, while the Barkley and Jacobs deals may seem significant, they likely won’t change teams’ cautious approach to paying running backs post-rookie contracts.
