The NFL running back market has been in decline for quite some time, but it seems like it’s never been as low as it is now.
Several past stars have had trouble even measuring some interest, let alone getting a big payday, and that trend seems to become even more apparent as the years go by.
For context, Miles Sanders’ $25.4 million four-year contract with the Carolina Panthers was actually the most significant contract signed by a running back in the offseason, so he thinks every player in his position are very poorly paid at the moment:
“It’s nothing we’re doing wrong,” Sanders said. “We are doing everything we have to do on the field and things like that. For people and general managers or owners to think that riders are not valued that much is a lie because you have to see how it all plays out. You have to see what guys like Christian McCaffrey, the things that he does, the things that Saquon Barkley (does), the things that Josh Jacobs (does) consistently every year.”
Panthers RB Miles Sanders: “Almost every running back is underpaid right now” https://t.co/jDRiXQG53w
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 29, 2023
Sanders is right there, as even he saw his salary plummet, making just an average of $6.35 million per year with just $13 million guaranteed.
Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon and now even Dalvin Cook remained unsigned at this point in the offseason and, truth be told, it doesn’t look like we’re going to see them all adding up and taking the field in 2023, at least. not for a full campaign or as headlines.
Saquon Barkley is also in the middle of a contract dispute with the New York Giants and refuses to play under the franchise tag, but it seems unlikely that any other team would be willing to offer him more money, especially if he loses this season as a player. . retention
Running back has become an expendable position in today’s pass-happy offense, and it may be a while before another tackle-breaking steeple pulls in a big payday.
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