Saquon Barkley is no longer the highest-paid running back in NFL history. That title now belongs to Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson after he agreed to a record-breaking contract extension with the NFC South franchise, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
“Two-time Pro-Bowl selection Bijan Robinson and the Falcons reached agreement on a three-year extension worth up to $75 million that now will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Robinson will receive a record $51 million guaranteed, including $37 million at signing, in a deal that agent Nicole Lynn and the Falcons have been working hard on to finish up in recent days,” Schefter wrote in a post on X.
The former Texas Longhorns star running back’s $22.5 million salary per year under the new contract breaks the $20.6 million a year that Barkley is getting after inking a 2-year, $41.2 million contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025.
By securing Robinson to a new pact, Atlanta no longer has to worry about finding an elite talent to lead its ground attack for years to come. Robinson is still just 24 years old and won’t turn 25 until January.
After rushing for 976 yards and four touchdowns in his rookie season in 2023, Robinson has racked up 2,934 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns on 591 carries over 34 games since then. That works out to an impressive average of 5.0 yards per carry, a figure that could climb even higher considering he likely hasn’t reached his peak yet.
