NY Giants’ Saquon Barkley signs record-setting guaranteed rookie deal

Saquon Barkley just signed a rookie NFL contract with the NY Giants that is so generous it surpasses those of a number of league veterans.

Jay Scott Smith

Jul 22, 2018

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Saquon Barkley, the running back who starred at Penn State before going second overall in this year’s National Football League draft, just signed a contract so generous it surpasses those of a number of league veterans.

Barkley agreed to terms on his rookie contract Sunday with the New York Giants, and it was an eye opener. The deal is worth $31.2 million over four years—all of which is guaranteed—with $15 million up front, according to a source. It also includes a fifth-year team option.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport initially reported terms of the done deal.

The #Giants have agreed to terms with first-round RB Saquon Barkley on his four-year, fully guaranteed contract worth $31.2M, source says. He has a $20.76M signing bonus with $15M paid out immediately — the most in several years. He gets the rest by October. Rookies report today.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 22, 2018

The contract was negotiated by Kim Miale of Roc Nation Sports and it makes Barkley the fourth-highest paid running back behind Le’Veon Bell, Devonta Freeman, and LeSean McCoy, according to Spotrac.

The $31.2 million guaranteed deal includes a $20.76 million signing bonus. It is the most ever given to a rookie running back and the second-highest ever given behind that of former MVP Adrian Peterson in 2011. Peterson’s deal was for seven years and $100 million with $36 million guaranteed from the Minnesota Vikings.

Barkley’s guaranteed money—which he plans to invest while living off of endorsement revenue—is also the highest to a rookie in at least five years, according to NJ.com.