Undervalued no more. A year ago, the Green Bay Packers helped remind the rest of the league how important the running back position is.
The Packers shocked the world by signing Josh Jacobs, a move nobody had on their radar entering free agency. The Philadelphia Eagles took a similar approach by handing Saquon Barkley a huge deal to leave the New York Giants for a division rival.
Barkley enjoyed a season for the ages, rushing for 2,005 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Packers know better than anyone how talented he is, having allowed 255 total yards and three touchdowns in regular-season and playoff games against the Eagles.
Philadelphia has rewarded its All-Pro running back after starring in a Super Bowl run. As ESPN's Adam Schefter reported, the Eagles have made the "rare" move of extending Barkley's deal only one year after signing him. They have handed him a two-year extension worth $41.2 million in a move that makes Barkley the highest-paid running back in history.
Jacobs' contract looks even better for the Packers.
Josh Jacobs' contract looks like a bargain for Packers after Saquon Barkley extension
Barkley's new deal skyrockets his average salary to $20.6 million, the highest by any running back ever. Just like that, Jacobs' four-year deal worth $12 million per year becomes an absolute bargain.
Jacobs may not have posted numbers quite as ridiculous as Barkley's, but he rivaled his 2022 NFL rushing championship season. Jacobs finished with 1,329 rushing yards and a career-best 15 touchdowns while adding 342 yards and a score as a pass-catcher.
The Pro Bowler set a new franchise record with eight consecutive games with a rushing touchdown. If we include the playoffs, he took that streak to nine games.
The Packers landed a surprisingly affordable deal when they signed Jacobs. While the overall numbers suggested it was worth $48 million over four years, Green Bay has an easy out after the 2025 season. The team could already make a small cap saving by releasing Jacobs now (not that they should even think about it), and they can easily move on from him next offseason.
Barkley's massive extension makes it look even better. The Packers landed a game-changer on a contract becoming more of a bargain by the day.