Saquon Barkley might have thought talks about his contract would be over ahead of the Super Bowl.
However, one NBA star reignited discussions when he told Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons how shocked he was by the running-back’s salary.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a sluggish offense before they secured former New York Giant Barkley to a three-year contract last year.
That $37.5 million contract sees the 27-year-old MVP finalist earn $12.5 million a year, not including bonuses and incentives.
Despite such a lucrative deal, NBA star Paolo Banchero allegedly told Parsons that Barkley’s wages are too low and that running-back pay in general is undervalued.
“‘Man it’s actually sad where the running-back market is it right now,’” Parsons revealed Banchero told him, recounting a conversation between the pair.
“‘Doesn’t Saquon only make $13 million a year? The seventh man on our bench makes $13 million a year, it’s crazy how ya’ll don’t get paid,’” the Orlando Magic star told Parsons.
Parsons backed Banchero, saying that Barkley is the number one offensive player in the league right now, yet his contract is relative peanuts compared to the best players in the NBA.
Jayson Tatum, one of the league’s best players, recently signed a five-year $313 million contract with the Boston Celtics, while his teammate Jaylen Brown in 2024 signed a five-year $285 million contract.
The caveat is that NFL and NBA rosters do not come close in size, explaining why some positions in football get paid significantly less.
NFL teams have 53 players on their roster meanwhile NBA rosters are capped at 15, meaning it is impossible for mega contracts to be handed out to several players on one team.
The Eagles will hope Barkley doesn’t hear talk about him being undervalued as the off-season addition has proved golden.
The number two pick in the 2018 draft, who became a free agent in 2024 after deciding against re-signing with the Giants, has elevated his new side’s offense and led them all the way to a Super Bowl.
Barkley’s $12.5 million a year contract does include multiple bonuses and incentives that could see the star earn an additional $3 million this year.
By reaching the Super Bowl, he has already secured an additional $250,000 bonus.
Read More on Super Bowl LIX
All you need to know about Super Bowl LIX as Kansas City Chiefs battle Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans
‘Bigger than Taylor Swift’ – Illegal rentals, 26,000 hotel rooms and the $500m refit behind Super Bowl of Super Bowls
Emotional Travis Kelce and brother Jason broke down in tears remembering mom Donna’s powerful Super Bowl cameo
Secret meaning to ‘eight stars’ in NFL logo revealed as fans stunned before Chiefs-Eagles Super Bowl
Patrick Mahomes vs Tom Brady after first seven years as a starter reveals there’s only one winner in quarterback debate
Who is performing the Super Bowl halftime show and who will be singing the National Anthem?
FOLLOW – talkSPORT End Zone YouTube Channel brings you all the latest news, views and analysis
OFFER – See all Super Bowl odds and bet boosts over at talkSPORT BET
BUY HERE – Brewdog launches new beer to celebrate Super Bowl 2025
Barkley’s All-Pro first team selection earned him another $1 million and, should he win the Super Bowl, his first-year salary will reach $15 million after more bonuses are triggered.
Among running backs, only Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor and San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey make more in compensation per year, before bonuses.
While an extra $250,000 is on the line, the main motivator on Sunday for Barkley will be winning his first Super Bowl.
In his and the Eagles’ way is defending champions Kansas City Chiefs, with the 59th edition of the biggest show on earth set to be a blockbuster clash.
Super Bowl LIX goes down in New Orleans on February 9.
Follow our brand new talkSPORT NFL page on Facebook as we bring you all the build-up to the Super Bowl, plus live coverage