Not Just an Athlete But A Pioneer
It’s one thing when your running back is not only the finest in the NFL — but also one of the finest in 90-plus years of the franchise — drawing comparisons to a post-World War II rusher who would devastate professional defenses to become one of the best in NFL history.
It’s quite another when that same All-Pro running back can run past you, around you, through you, and yes — hurdle backwards against you.
During an early November matchup with Jacksonville during week 9 of the 2024 NFL season, Saquon Barkley not only spun, accelerated, and bulldozed his way all over the Jaguars’ defense but also backflipped his way forward. The Jacksonville defense was as stunned as we were.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
Now, Saquon is attempting to patent the “Shayshawn” move. And why not? He won’t need an appearance on Shark Tank. We’ve got an inventor on our World Champion Philadelphia Eagles? Who knew?
Well, Philly. The Eagles have done it once again. Here’s one Philadelphia area resident who doesn’t need to worry about inflation.
Last week, the Eagles extended their Pro Bowl running back for another two years for $41.2 million. The new contract includes $36 million of guaranteed money and an additional attainable $15 million if certain milestones are met.
I wonder if Howie is available to do my taxes?
The contract follows a deal that will keep Barkley in Philadelphia as an Eagle until he is 31. The Eagles originally signed Saquon Barkley last March to a three-year, $37.75 million deal after the New York Giants allowed their star running back to test free agency during the last NFL offseason. At that point, he was the fourth highest-paid running back in the NFL behind Jonathon Taylor, Alvin Kamara, and Christian McCaffrey.
The contract extension makes Barkley the highest-paid running back in NFL history and has potentially changed the market for other professional football rushers. In a move that now seems like pure genius — the Eagles sat Saquon during the week 18 contest against his former team the Giants in the last game of the regular season — effectively ending his pursuit of Eric Dickerson’s single season rushing record but preserving Barkley for the a playoff run that ended in a Super Bowl Championship.
Saquon would capture the NFL rushing record for a season between the regular season and playoffs combined with 2,504 rushing yards and twenty touchdowns — including a contribution to the record-tying seven rushing touchdown Eagles performance in the NFC Championship Game for the first time in the NFL since 1940.
It’s another done deal that will almost certainly keep the Eagles in contention for years to come.
PHOTO: Bill Streicher/Imagn Images
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