NFL teams refused to give running backs lucrative long-term contracts, leaving the best players at the position feeling angry and underappreciated.
League rules had changed over the past two decades to enhance scoring. Quarterbacks had more protection. Wide receivers had more freedom to roam the field. Defensive players had to be concerned about getting penalized for illegal hits. They couldn’t go too low. They couldn’t hit the helmet. They couldn’t hold. They couldn’t tug jerseys.
The result had been staggering offensive numbers for quarterbacks, wide receivers, and tight ends. Running backs – despite their overall value, versatility, and responsibilities – had been left behind.
Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard had to play the 2023 season under the franchise tag-mandated $10.1 million salary after failing to agree with their teams on multiyear contracts before Monday’s deadline.
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Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry wrote on Twitter: “At that point, they just took the RB position out of the game. The ones that wanted to be great & worked as hard as they could to give their all to an organization, it just seemed like it didn’t even matter. I was with every RB that was fighting to get what they deserved.”
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler said, “Everyone knew it was tough to win without a top RB, yet they acted like we were discardable widgets. I supported any RB doing whatever it took to get his bag.”
Barkley watched the New York Giants give quarterback Daniel Jones a $160 million, four-year contract after a season in which he threw 15 touchdown passes. Yet Barkley made a fraction of that total after carrying the offense to the playoffs last season.
“It was what it was,” Barkley tweeted as players expressed their frustration on social media.
Christian McCaffrey, the Carolina Panthers’ standout running back, has not only excelled on the field but also set a new standard for running back contracts. His $16 million deal, secured after just three NFL seasons, defies the traditional trend for running back compensation. McCaffrey believes that the value of running backs in the NFL should be recognized and compensated accordingly.
In a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show, McCaffrey expressed his opinion on the importance of running backs in the league. He emphasized that running backs touch the ball more frequently than any other position, and their multifaceted contributions to the game should be acknowledged.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell reportedly sought a significant pay raise that reflects his versatility on the field. According to his former teammate, Ike Taylor, Bell wants to be compensated not only as a top running back but also as a No. 2 wide receiver.
The contract negotiations between Bell and the Steelers failed to reach an agreement before the franchise player deadline. As a result, Bell will play under the franchise tag for the upcoming season.
Bell’s desire to be valued as a running back and a wide receiver is based on his recent performance. In the previous season, he not only led the Steelers in rushing yards with 1,268 in just 12 games but also ranked as the team’s second-best receiver with 616 receiving yards. This remarkable dual-threat capability sets him apart as one of the most versatile players in the NFL.
Notably, Bell made history by becoming the first player in NFL history to average over 100 rushing yards and 50 receiving yards per game throughout a season. He also led the league in both touches (28) and yards (157) per game.
