Saquon Barkley Whiffs on Incentives a Year After Sweeping Them

Saquon Barkley’s sophomore season with the Eagles didn’t come with the history—or incentives—that his 2024 season did. 

A year after he hit every contract incentive in the first season of a three-year, $37 million deal, Barkley reached none of his regular season bonuses.

Barkley’s first season in Philadelphia came with record-breaking production. He rushed for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns and won a Super Bowl. The contact had $250,000 incentives for being named first-team All-Pro and racking up 1,500 and 2,000 all-purpose yards. Barkley broke the record for most rushing yards in a season (including playoffs), which was previously held by Broncos running back Terrell Davis. 

Barkley hit every bonus on his old deal, which had $26 million guaranteed and included a $250,000 workout bonus. He increased his base salary for the 2025 and 2026 seasons by $1.5 million from $1.375 million to $2.875 million. 

In March, the Eagles rewarded Barkley with a two-year, $41 million extension that made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. His new deal with the Eagles came with the same incentives, but Barkley’s 2025 regular season was modest by his standards. 

He ran for 1,140 yards, the second-lowest of his career, and seven touchdowns. He had just 273 yards receiving, totaling just 1,413 all-purpose yards less than a year after he eclipsed 1,500 in rushing alone. He came 87 yards shy of a $250,000 bonus for 1,500 all-purpose yards. Barkley ranked 10th in the NFL in rushing yards, which makes a first-team All-Pro selection highly unlikely.  

Barkley sat out Sunday’s loss to the Commanders along with numerous other starters, including quarterback Jalen Hurts, to rest for the postseason. The loss dropped the Eagles from the No. 2 seed to No. 3 in the NFC, and the Eagles will host the 49ers in the first round of the playoffs on Jan. 11. 

While Barkley failed to hit any regular season incentives, he can still hit his postseason ones regardless of how he plays. He gets $250,000 if the Eagles win the NFC title and another $250,000 if they repeat as Super Bowl champions. 

In February’s Super Bowl he had just 57 yards rushing, but still netted $250,000. 

Mixed Bag Across the NFL 

While Barkley missed out on his incentives, other players cashed in on some of theirs. 

Patriots wideout Stefon Diggs netted a $500,000 bonus for crossing the 1,000-yard threshold, according to Spotrac, with 30 yards in Sunday’s win against the Dolphins. Diggs previously hit a $500,000 bonus for 80 receptions in Week 17. Had he caught eight balls to finish the season with 90 receptions, he would have added another $500,000.

Chargers wideout Keenan Allen was another winner on Sunday. He entered the game six receptions shy of a $750,000 bonus for reaching 80 on the season and finished with seven in a loss to the Broncos. He got another $250,000 for crossing 750 receiving yards. He left some money on the table, too, falling touch touchdowns shy of another $250,000 bonus. Allen finished the season with $3.25 million in incentives, according to Spotrac, more than doubling the one-year, $3 million salary he is playing on. 

Niners wideout Jauan Jennings netted $2.4 million by hitting a playing time incentive during Saturday’s loss to the Seahawks, according to ESPN. Jennings can make an extra $600,000 in the playoffs if he plays in 35 or more snaps. 

Commanders linebacker Von Miller netted $500,000 for reaching nine sacks this season after taking down Eagles backup quarterback Tanner McKee on Sunday.