NFL’s running back revolt has begun after Saquon Barkley drama
Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Taylor and more of the NFL’s top running backs called out the league on Twitter for undervaluing the position.
NFL running backs have a collective problem in 2023: No one wants to pay them.
The market for running backs has completely tanked this offseason. Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott were cut and remain without teams. Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard landed franchise tag tenders with long-term deals amenable to both the players and their teams feeling far away.
All the while discussion online turned to the value of running backs and whether it’s worth it for teams to pay them beyond their rookie deals.
Matt Miller of ESPN tweeted that the way to handle running back contracts is to draft one, play them, franchise tag them once if they’re good then move on to draft a new running back. That one did not go over well with running backs around the NFL.
Throughout Monday, running backs like Derrick Henry of the Titans, Christian McCaffrey of the 49ers, Jonathan Taylor of the Colts, Austin Ekeler of the Chargers and Najee Harris of the Steelers jumped to argue in favor of valuing and paying running backs as essential pieces towards winning.
NFL running backs unite to protest tanking market
At this point , just take the RB position out the game then . The ones that want to be great & work as hard as they can to give their all to an organization , just seems like it don’t even matter . I’m with every RB that’s fighting to get what they deserve . https://t.co/OgvBWZCKvn
— Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) July 17, 2023
1. If you’re good enough, they’ll find you.
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 17, 2023
2. If you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.
…If you succeed…
3. You boost the Organization
…and then…
Doesn’t matter, you’re a RB https://t.co/mG6In1ATGg
This is Criminal. Three of the best PLAYERS in the entire league, regardless of position. https://t.co/zDXRS5cGdu
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) July 17, 2023
This is the kind of trash that has artificially devalued one of the most important positions in the game. Everyone knows it’s tough to win without a top RB and yet they act like we are discardable widgets. I support any RB doing whatever it takes to get his bag. https://t.co/sRYfAKwrpQ
— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) July 17, 2023
I agree with my running back brothers around the NFL- history will show that you need running backs to win- we set the tone every game and run trough walls for our team and lead in many ways- this notion that we deserve less is a joke. https://t.co/rWJkGIEgmW
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) July 17, 2023
The running backs argue that the position is critical to fielding a strong offense. And they’re right on that front. Having a capable ground game is essential to winning football games.
The trouble is the newest trend towards running back by committee and a wave of lucrative contracts that didn’t work out particularly well for the teams that handed them out.
Why spend money on a 27-year-old running back when you can get similar production for less money from a 22-year-old you just drafted or a collection of cheaper players?
Unfortunately, running backs are swimming upstream on this issue. Addressing the issue in the next CBA feels like the only solution.
3 RBs who will be the next Saquon Barkley with contract disputes. dark. Next