Saquon Barkley rookie contract: How much did Giants RB earn in New York

The New York Giants officially have franchise-tagged star running back Saquon Barkley for the upcoming 2023 NFL season. It was about time, as Barkley's retention was the worst-kept secret around the league. Barkley would enter his sixth season with the team that drafted him in the 2018 NFL draft.

The Penn State University alum was signed via an exclusive franchise tag worth $10,091,000 for a season. This contract will keep Saquon Barkley tied to the Giants throughout his age-26 season before the Giants figure out what to do with the versatile running back.

Following the season, the Giants will have to decide whether they will hit him with yet another franchise tag or choose to extend Barkley on a multi-year deal. This franchise tag will give them the leeway to determine whether he would be a worthy long-term investment.

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How much has Saquon Barkley earned in his NFL career?

Saquon Barkley was selected as the second overall pick of the 2018 NFL draft right out of Penn State University.

On joining the Giants, he signed a lucrative rookie contract worth $31,194,751 throughout four seasons. Barkley's contract included a $20,767,092 signing bonus, which was a record at the time for a rookie running back. That pegged his average salary to $7,798,688 per season and stipulated that he would be an unrestricted free agent in the 2023 NFL season.

Thanks to this contract, Saquon Barkley has earned a total of $38,601,750 throughout his NFL career. He just got signed via the franchise tag for another season with New York. Once that contract is up, Barkley could have earned a grand total of $48,692,750 for his NFL career. Good for a Penn State University alum.

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How did Saquon Barkley perform in 2022 NFL season?

Saquon Barkley entered the 2022 NFL season with something to prove, as several league analysts had written him off.

He did just that, as the former second-overall pick had a career season as the primary ball carrier for the New York Giants. Alongside Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley was the major reason the Giants broke their six-year NFL postseason drought and even made the divisional round game.

Saquon Barkley put up Pro Bowl-worthy numbers, racking up 295 rush attempts, 1,312 rushing yards and ten rushing touchdowns for the year. He also added 57 receptions and 338 receiving yards for good measure. He ranked in the top ten for every major running back statistical category and did that with aplomb.