NFL Needs to Fix Its Running Back Problem

The NFL doesn't value running backs today. Something's got to give.

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.

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The No Respect Position

Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook

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. Matt Ludtke / AP Photo

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

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott in March 2023, ending a seven-season run for a two-time rushing champion. Ron Jenkins / AP Photo

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.

No Deal for You

Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs

Will Josh Jacobs be a Raider for life? David Becker / AP Photo

Even the best running back in the league gets no love. After leading the NFL in rushing and being a first-team All-Pro last season, Josh Jacobs reportedly wanted a new long-term deal worth $12.2 million a year with the Las Vegas Raiders.

But the two sides didn’t get close, so Jacobs will play on the franchise tag. Or the Raiders could rescind Jacobs’ franchise tag and make him a free agent.

Las Vegas Raiders Regular-Season Wins 2023-24

Over 6.5 Wins -118
Under 6.5 Wins -104

Giant Problem

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley made $7.217 million in the 2022 season. Chris Szagola / AP Photo

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. Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP Photo

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.

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