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

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.

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