When Saquon Barkley signed with the Philadelphia Eagles ahead of the 2024 season, he knew he was joining a Super Bowl contender with one of the league’s most dominant offensive lines.
While Barkley was likely drawn to the prospect of a playoff run, he also understood that his path to individual success might be shaped by the system around him. Through the first part of the season, Barkley has proven to be a key part of the Eagles’ offense, but what’s less obvious is how his contract incentivizes performance—particularly when it comes to rushing yards, touchdowns, and playoff glory.
Despite the fact that Barkley is enjoying a career year, poised to surpass his 2022 total of 1,312 rushing yards, his touchdown count remains relatively modest—just eight on the season. Some of that, of course, can be attributed to the Eagles’ unique red-zone play calling, particularly the now-famous “tush push,” where quarterback Jalen Hurts has often been the one to punch it in from close range. This has led to an unusual contract structure, one in which Barkley’s deal is largely free of touchdown-based incentives. This, however, was all part of the plan.
Sources reveal that Barkley’s three-year, $37.8 million contract includes zero incentives tied directly to touchdowns. That’s a noteworthy omission, considering how important scoring is to a running back’s paycheck. The reasoning, as NFL Research pointed out, is that Barkley has been tackled at the 1- or 2-yard line an NFL-high 11 times this season—frequently setting up Hurts to score on a short run. While these situations don’t help Barkley’s touchdown total, they do help the Eagles win football games, which, according to Barkley, is all that matters.
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In terms of his overall pay, Barkley’s contract offers a base salary, signing bonus, and workout bonus that amount to $13.5 million for the 2024 season. However, the real financial flexibility comes from performance-based incentives that reward both individual milestones and team success. If Barkley reaches 1,500 total rushing and receiving yards this season—a mark that’s well within reach, as he currently sits at 1,347 total yards—he will earn $250,000. If he pushes that total past 2,000 combined yards, the incentive jumps to another $250,000, bringing the total to $500,000.
But it doesn’t stop there. The contract includes a unique escalator clause that ties any earned yardage incentives to Barkley’s 2025 base salary. So, if Barkley does reach 2,000 yards, not only would he pocket the $500,000 incentive, but that amount would also be added to his salary for the next season. In total, hitting 2,000 yards could net him a $1 million payday.
In addition to his yardage bonuses, Barkley’s contract also includes incentives for individual accolades. If he earns a first-team All-Pro selection, he will receive a $500,000 bonus. A second-team All-Pro or a Pro Bowl selection would yield $250,000. Similar to his yardage incentives, these individual accolades would also trigger an increase in his 2025 base salary, providing an added long-term financial incentive for Barkley to perform at a high level throughout the year.
The Eagles’ postseason success also plays a significant role in Barkley’s potential earnings. The running back has up to $500,000 in incentives tied to Philadelphia’s playoff run, with $250,000 available for victories in both the NFC Championship Game and the Super Bowl. However, to qualify for these bonuses, Barkley must rush for at least 1,000 yards during the regular season, a milestone he has already achieved. As with his yardage and individual achievement incentives, any postseason bonuses would be added to his 2025 base salary.
Of course, for fantasy football managers tracking Barkley’s progress, the lack of touchdown incentives may be a bit frustrating. With his ability to rack up yards consistently, it’s somewhat surprising that Barkley’s touchdown numbers aren’t higher. Much of this is thanks to the aforementioned “tush push,” where Hurts has often been the beneficiary of goal-line situations that Barkley helped set up. This dynamic has led to some questions about whether Barkley’s fantasy owners are getting the most value from him, even if his team is winning games.
However, Barkley himself doesn’t seem to mind the absence of touchdowns in his stat line. Earlier in the season, he was asked about the team’s red-zone success, and he responded with his usual team-first mentality: “Whether it’s me scoring, Jalen scoring, just finding ways to get in the end zone. That’s the way to win football games.” For Barkley, the goal is clear—helping the Eagles win, and if that means letting Hurts take the touchdowns, so be it.
Still, the numbers suggest that Barkley’s role as a workhorse back for Philadelphia will continue to have tangible rewards. His success in the Eagles’ offense, which thrives on a physical, run-first mentality, has placed him in a strong position to meet the requirements for his various performance incentives. Whether it’s racking up yards, scoring All-Pro honors, or helping his team win playoff games, Barkley’s incentives are designed to reward both his individual performance and his contributions to team success.
As the Eagles push for another deep playoff run, all eyes will be on Barkley to see how his season progresses. If he continues to build on his impressive yardage totals and helps propel the Eagles into the postseason, he could finish the season with significant bonuses in hand. For Barkley, it’s a perfect example of how his financial future is tied to his ability to balance individual achievement with team success.
With the potential to earn substantial incentives throughout the remainder of the season, Barkley’s focus remains sharp. He’s not only chasing personal milestones but contributing to a team that has aspirations of playing well into January and February. As the Eagles march toward the postseason, Barkley’s contract structure ensures that his success on the field will translate into significant rewards, making 2024 a year to remember for both him and the Eagles.