NFL Needs to Fix Its Running Back Problem
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs led the NFL in rushing in 2022 with 1,653 yards on the ground.Pro football used to have franchise running backs. Now running backs in the NFL get no respect. Especially when it comes to getting big contracts.
This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. You can subscribe to our newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox.
The No Respect Position
The Minnesota Vikings released Dalvin Cook in June 2023 to create salary cap space. Cook has made four straight Pro Bowls while averaging 1,256 rushing yards in that span and scoring 46 touchdowns.It's no secret NFL running backs have been devalued. Team executives and coaches have gotten comfortable with a committee approach and believe they can find star backs for less than market value.
A Kick in the Head
The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott in March 2023, ending a seven-season run for a two-time rushing champion.The 2023 NFL salary cap is a record-high $224.8 million, but the pay disparity numbers don't lie. Look at the franchise tag numbers by position. Only kickers and punters are compensated less than running backs.
- Quarterback: $32.42 million
- Running back: $10.09 million
- Tight end: $11.35 million
- Wide receiver: $19.74 million
- Offensive line: $18.24 million
- Defensive tackle: $18.94 million
- Defensive end: $19.73 million
- Linebacker: $20.93 million
- Cornerback: $18.14 million
- Safety: $14.46 million
- Kicker/punter: $5.39 million
Per Spotrac, the average salary for an NFL running back in 2023 is $1.81 million. The average salary for an NFL kicker in 2023 is 2.26 million.
Giant Problem
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley made $7.217 million in the 2022 season.New York Giants running Saquon Barkley is another disgruntled running back.
After finishing fourth in the NFL with a career-high 1,312 rushing yards last season — and running for 10 touchdowns and tying for the team lead with 57 receptions — the No. 2 overall draft pick in the 2018 NFL draft is thinking about sitting out the season to show his worth because of a stalemate with the Giants over a long-term deal.
"I might have to take it to this level," Barkley said on "The Money Matters" podcast. "Am I prepared to take it to this level? I don't know."
New York Giants Regular-Season Wins 2023-24
- Over 7.5 Wins -106
- Under 7.5 Wins -114
Bad Mojo Rising
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the NFL’s highest-paid running back at $16.01 million per season.Alienating star running backs and treating them like "discardable widgets" doesn't just hurt teams. It hurts the league. If the NFL doesn't fix this broken market, young kids might not want to play running back anymore. That means no more running backs.
For now, the show goes on.
Most Regular-Season Total Rushing Yards 2023-24
- Nick Chubb +600
- Jonathan Taylor +700
- Derrick Henry +750
- Bijan Robinson +1200
- Josh Jacobs +1400
- Saquon Barkley +1600
- Tony Pollard +1800
- Breece Hall +2000
- Kenneth Walker +2200
- Rhamondre Stevenson +2200
- Christian McCaffrey +2500
All odds are subject to change.
This article originally appeared in the weekly Stadium Talk newsletter with Betting Predators, a sports betting media platform. You can subscribe to our newsletter and get it delivered straight to your inbox.
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