Death of the Running Back ☠️

07/18/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs & Tony Pollard Fail to Get Extensions Before Franchise Tag Deadline

“It is what it is.” That was Saquon Barkley’s tweet on Monday after the deadline passed for franchise-tagged players to receive long-term contracts. The Giants’ star ballcarrier, arguably the best running back in football, doesn’t have the security of a long-term deal, and he’s not alone. Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Cowboys) are the other two running backs who got the tag last spring. None of them received long-term money. And thus continues the death of the running back.

The NFL’s Most Disrespected Position

It’s been trending this way for a long time now, but Monday’s deadline signaled a true shift in the league’s devaluation of the running back position. If Barkley and Jacobs can’t get deals in their prime, who can? The last decade has seen teams adopt a run-by-committee approach with the shelf life of star ballcarriers shorter than other positions. And while great backs are valuable to have, the analytics show that paying them rarely translates to championship-level success. Most of the recent dynasties and Super Bowl winners were built on the quarterback with the largest part of the salary cap focused on QB, pass-protectors, pass-rushers, and receivers. And even though runners can help shift a game in an instant, they’re rarely the hero hoisting the Lombardi.

Fun Fact: The last running back to win Super Bowl MVP was Terrell Davis 25 years ago (Broncos, 1998). Prior to Davis, the previous 30 Super Bowls featured six MVP ball carriers.

Death of the Running Back

Not only are Barkley, Jacobs, and Pollard playing on the tag this season, but two of the league’s top backs are also still job-searching free agents (Ezekiel Elliot & Dalvin Cook). Miles Sanders (Panthers) was forced out of Philly because the price was too high. And Austin Ekeler (Chargers) requested a trade because he felt he was underpaid, then walked it back because there were no suitors. Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey (49ers) was traded in the middle of last season, Joe Mixon (Bengals) took a pay cut to keep his job, and a few dozen rookie running backs just entered the league. Let’s look at all the top backs who are visibly unhappy entering 2023.

Notable RBs (2022 Production & Rank)

J. Jacobs (LVR): 1,653 rush yards (1st), 12 TDs (T-4th)

S. Barkley (NYG): 1,312 rush yards (4th), 10 TDs (8th)

T. Pollard (DAL): 1,007 rush yards (15th), 9 TDs (T-9th)

A. Ekeler (LAC): 915 rush yards (17th), 13 TDs (T-2nd)

D. Cook (FA): 1,173 rush yards (6th), 8 TDs (T-11th)

E. Elliot (FA): 876 rush yards (21st), 12 TDs (T-4th)

That’s six of the most productive backs in the NFL who are free agents, franchise-tagged, or presumably disgruntled to start the season. Many of them racked up more than 300 receiving yards and multiple touchdowns through the air as well. It’s safe to say it doesn’t pay to carry the ball. Even so, the franchise tag for a running back is $10 million.

SI: Running Backs Are Out of Options as Position Keeps Getting Financially Squeezed

B/R: What NFL Franchise Tag Means for Jacobs, Barkley & Pollard

CBS Sports: Franchise Tag Deadline Winners & Losers: Tough Day for Jacobs, Barkley & Pollard

Photo: Tim Nwachukwu / Getty Images