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Who are the highest-paid running backs in the NFL in 2025? Saquon Barkley ranks third

jack mckessy, usa today
·2-min read

Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley is the NFL's first $20 million-per-year running back. But who are the other highest-paid players at the position?

Despite Philadelphia signing its 2,000-yard rusher to a two-year, $41.2 million extension on Tuesday, according to reports, Barkley is still not the highest-paid running back by average annual value nor 2025 cash value.

That's thanks to the lesser value of the contract he signed last March. So even after Barkley officially signs his extension, which comes just one year into that three-year deal he signed last offseason and within the same league year as the initial contract, he falls short of securing the crown for highest-paid tailback.

Here's what to know about the highest-paid running backs in the league in 2025:

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Highest-paid running backs in the NFL in 2025

Here's which running backs are making the most money in the NFL in 2025, using AAV and 2025 cash value numbers compiled from OverTheCap.com and Spotrac:

Highest-paid RBs by AAV 2025

  1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: $19 million/year

  2. Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $15.8 million/year (Note: this estimate combines the total values of his initial contract + recent extension, divided by the five total years he's under contract with Philadelphia.)

  3. Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $14 million/year

  4. Alvin Kamara, Saints: $12.25 million/year

  5. Josh Jacobs, Packers: $12 million/year

  6. Joe Mixon, Texans: $9.875 million/year

  7. James Conner, Cardinals: $9.5 million/year

  8. David Montgomery, Lions: $9.125 million/year

  9. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots: $9 million/year

  10. Chuba Hubbard, Panthers: $8.3 million/year

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Highest-paid RBs by 2025 cash value

Here's how much each running back will be paid in 2025, according to OverTheCap.com:

(Note: the cash value number is different from the cap hit each player is responsible for in 2025.)

  1. Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: $16.2 million

  2. Jonathan Taylor, Colts: $13 million

  3. Saquon Barkley, Eagles: $12.75 million (Note: this number could change if Tuesday's extension includes a signing bonus due in 2025.)

  4. Josh Jacobs, Packers: $8.2 million

  5. D'Andre Swift, Bears: $8 million

  6. Joe Mixon, Texans: $7.5 million

  7. Derrick Henry, Ravens: $7 million

  8. Miles Sanders, Panthers: $6.7 million

  9. Tony Pollard, Titans: $6.5 million

  10. Travis Etienne, Jaguars: $6.143 million

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Highest-paid running backs in the NFL: Eagles' Saquon Barkley third