Ladies and gentlemen, Saquon Barkley is a very rich man. He's been so for a while, but now, his great, great grandchildren won't have to work. The Philadelphia Eagles have awarded him with a brand new extension which figures, by our theory, to make him a Bird for life. Hey... You won't hear complaints from this direction.
Are you sitting down? The deal adds two more years to the three-year, $37.75 million deal he inked last March during free agency. During years four and five, he'll earn $41.2 million with $36 million in guarantees.
That makes him the highest-paid tailback in NFL history and, quite possibly, sets off a chain reaction. Philly has to decide about several free agents. This could also prompt a legend's restructure.
Must read: The top 5 'Big Plays' of Darius Slay's Eagles tenure
Three Eagles who could sign their extensions in the very near future
By now, most of you have heard the news. Philly is expected to move on from Darius Slay. That was announced on Monday. News that they'll part ways with James Bradberry came one day later on Tuesday.
They'll be designated as post-June 1st cuts. That saves the Birds $6.4 million in cap space. Extending Saquon saves the organization more money.
His cap hit was around $13.5 million next season, but now it is $6.8 million. Howie Roseman does it again. Keep an eye out for news about the following Eagles. We may hear something fairly soon.
Lane Johnson, right tackle
Lane Johnson is signed through the 2025 and 2026 seasons, making him a free agent in 2027. We knew he'd return for another season before Super Bowl 59, but two years remaining on his deal and our uncertainty he'll play that long makes him a candidate for a restructure.
Maybe Philly can convert the money he is owed into some sort of bonus, and that will provide even more flexibility.
Cam Jurgens, center
Cam Jurgens enters the final year of his deal, and we know how this works. The Birds pay guys sooner rather than later. We expect to hear something about his extension relatively soon. His first year as a starter ended with his first Pro Bowl nomination.
Zack Baun, linebacker
This is the big one. This is the priority. Zack Baun joined a new team, switched positions, and became a Pro Bowler and First-Team All-Pro. Philly is expected to lose a few players during free agency, but everyone hopes this guy doesn't wind up being one of them.
Worth mentioning: Dallas Goedert and Jordan Davis
While Dallas Goedert and Jordan Davis aren't eligible for free agency until 2026, the same rules are in place that apply for Cam Jurgens. Pay these guys earlier rather than later. The price will only rise. Plus we'd like to see our Birds lock them down.
