‘Nobody wins here’ - Schefter on the current value of running backs in NFL

Adam Schefter, Dan Orlovsky and Booger McFarland join Kevin Negandhi on NFL Live to discuss the current value of the running back in the league. After Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard all failed to land long-term deals before the franchise tag deadline, the conversation around the worth of RBs in the league has expanded.
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[@stiflersmom8601]

Running backs should be the only postion that’s eligible for a big contract after 1 season of play

[@23jakesmith23]

And still nobody would pay them max contracts

[@wejustplayinggames2047]

I agree they need their money early.

[@PoohShimmy]

@@23jakesmith23that’s fine but at least they get a bite at the apple earlier. Even if it’s a small bite it’ll be bigger than the rookie contract

[@Furby2118]

I agree. Cause I’ve always said if I was a GM I’d never offer a huge contact to a running back I just destroyed for 4 years. Just draft another one let someone else pay.

[@Ghostkilla773]

They still won't pay them. They'll probably draft a RB with late pick every year.

[@zachstolpa6521]

At the end of the day you don’t want to have people look at a position like “I don’t want to play that” especially when it comes to dollars on a professional level. That’s the reality

[@rayshardrobinson7878]

Ezekiel Elliot, and Le”veon Bell set the Running Back Market Back. Give a back a large contract look what happened to those guys! That’s the blueprint for the owners not to pay The Running Backs

[@Ghostkilla773]

Yea especially Ezekiel. His lazy self really did them in.

[@opticmusprime808]

@Ghostkilla773 yea Zeke was all in Mexico for weeks recording his workouts on the beach when he was holding out. As soon as he got paid dude didn't give af anymore 🤣🤣 So if Pollard thinks Jerry is going to make that same mistake again then he's got another thing coming

[@cj7139]

Gurley, Kamara, Cook, the fact that most RBs that are currently bickering will be washed AF in two years or less.

[@zachstolpa6521]

Booger made the best point about how the way qb contracts are being valued has to come from somewhere in the cap and that will also lead to qb’s being paid more than they should be if we are being honest.

[@kyleb8596]

Everyone loves a free market until it affects them negatively. Teams can get suitable replacements for less money and apply that saved money towards more valued positions. That simple.

[@supamal373]

So you can replace Saquan Barkley ?

[@kyleb8596]

@@supamal373 not what I said. I said you can get a suitable replacement for less money. RB’s are a dime a dozen and drop after age 27. Why spend money on that when you can get a DECENT (not equal to or better) RB and use money on the many other holes the teams have. Game moved on from being RB dominant like it was. It’s reality and the money shows that.

[@tquarrie828]

​@@kyleb8596but you act like running backs only run the ball. They pass protect, they're apart of the pass game, and they're expected to make something out of nothing on every run play. Elite QB play can live without a good RB. Neither the Giants nor the Raiders have elite QB's.

[@seravee2]

You can't call this a free market when every RB is cost controlled for 5 years before they can realistically make any decisions about where they want to play. Its actually the opposite

[@KingDizzleLTDinc.]

It’s not a running back in the league that I feel gets more gameplan for than Derrick Henry..you can’t replace that..cause even if you QB is bad,if you got Henry in your back field it’s gone be 8-9 boxes all game

[@truuee9016]

Their pay should be tied to yards gained. These top RBs are getting 1200-1500+ scrimmage yds in most healthy seasons, same as top WRs. They should get paid after their first seasons so the injury/age excuse is not used to shortchange them.

[@kyleb8596]

Should every position be tied to performance after the first year?! Do you get paid less the second year as a RB if you’re rookie year is sub-par?

[@chrisbarr959]

or should all running backs get paid a mandatory base pay according to the amount of carries ?

[@zachstolpa6521]

@@kyleb8596you got a better solution for rb’s?

[@kyleb8596]

@@zachstolpa6521 yeah, they’re overpriced and not worth their asking price. There is no solution. Todd Gurley and Leveon Bell are to blame, as is the history of RBs falling off a cliff after age 27. They’re not worth their asking price, as history has proven. Pretty simple.

[@claytongodfrey202]

​@@zachstolpa6521teams that do this to their RBs and only seek a work horse to trade at market the next year or two ...I doubt they are as successful as other teams. RBs won't wanna go there. Imagine if the Giants say screw Barkley and let him go for a nobody RB or some random rookie ...their offense will be drastically different, and if that's the case then they deserved to be paid like a TOP piece of the offense

[@AnnaEqw]

Your creativity knows no bounds, keep pushing the limits!✨

[@opticmusprime808]

Have you seen the production of the last 5 mega contracts for RBs?? Thats why they not going to spend on them anymore.

[@zachstolpa6521]

I think the point is this will lead to players just not wanting to play rb or at least not as many. Am I wrong?

[@cj7139]

@@zachstolpa6521 You are wrong. No high school kid who has a chance to be an NFL RB is going to forego that opportunity because they can "ONLY" make $11 million per year.

[@luisduque9235]

Dude said barkely had 22.2 mill guarantee thats 5.5 for 4 years lol

[@kevindukes8185]

I'll take that sign me up the majority of the people on this planet will never see 5.5 million in their life time

[@saint6563]

Wrong! 1st Franchise Tag about 10 & 2nd Franchise Tag about 12. So about 22 million for 2 years.

[@zachstolpa6521]

@@kevindukes8185so should these players not try to get the most dollar they can?

[@aerobertson]

Given his injury history that is a good deal they offered him that's a standard fare deal even if he gets hurt this year and have to sit out he still guaranteed money next year

[@michaelcollins3384]

what if you change the rules so that you can't sign rbs to rookie contracts, extensions, or franchise tag them, you can only sign them on two-year fully guarunteed deals that aren't incentive-based or they hit FA.

[@rdtworld9720]

Get ready for teams just spending the bare minimum on RB platoons then.

[@1RobertSmith]

Sometimes you just gotta go on strike! All the RB's in all of the NFL should choose a regular season game where they all refuse to play. Then the whole world can see what this game looks like with no RB. QB's are in big trouble with no one behind them,, believe that

[@maxwatkins7032]

Bro they will just be replaced by other blokes

[@1RobertSmith]

@@maxwatkins7032 scabs 🤣

[@wejustplayinggames2047]

These QBs they paying are not even top tier that’s the issue Henry saquon jacobs all have suspect QBs and yet they’re all getting paid but the RB the main reason they look halfway decent because they keep the defense honest aren’t getting paid.

[@user-jj2wn8xu1s]

I hope the power sweep by Vince Lambardi could use again in eficient way.

[@joshuaadams738]

I say they RBs get a 2 yr rookie deal with the ability to franchise tag them only once. That’s gives them the ability to resign or move on after 3 seasons.

[@Matt-tk3yk]

Issue is that a good run game is more to do with the o line than the back, unless you have a truly elite talent. Henry, Chubb, Barkley, Jacobs, Mccaffrey and maybe JT are the only backs atm I’d pay. Truth is they’re the most replaceable position in football, unless you’re top 5.

[@lujones9961]

We’re talking about the top 5

[@23jakesmith23]

@@lujones9961Let’s be honest even the top 5 is not worth their value. That’s just the way she goes. Who in that top 5 has come close to a ring?

[@choiyatlam2552]

@@23jakesmith23McCaffrey if Brock’s elbow wasn’t destroyed.

[@23jakesmith23]

@@choiyatlam2552 the 49ers had no issues being contenders and actually making the SB without McCaffrey only 2 seasons prior.

[@cj7139]

Even in the case of the true elite guys, it takes a special kind of fool at GM to pay them for more than a 1 or 2 year contract.

[@anthonyheckman7987]

They should set the market themselves and go from there but like a thirteen Million dollar contract start with if you are second round pick or better

[@davidasher8718]

Most NFL running backs should have no problem finding other work in either retail sales or the custodial arts...

[@Conradmlarsen]

Supply and Demand

[@markpage9886]

Ryen Russillo has the best take: asking for big dollars up front because you're gonna get injured and NOT be able to play-- bad strategy. Doesn't work for plumbers, won't work for running backs.

[@latortuganinja7184]

Times change… RBs have the right to complain , just like any other job. But it is what it is.

[@Bigmike55626]

Look at the Super Bowl winners since 2014 bruh, only 2 teams had pro bowlers lol

[@aron352352]

I dont hear about any QBs taking a paycutt to keep the RB. If Daniel jones took 2Ms and gave it to saquan, does that get the deal done?

[@small760]

NFL/NFLPA knows life span on running backs is short. Rookie contracts should be no more than 2 years. Franchise tag on 3rd year or negotiate long-term deal say another 3 years and if he health after 3 years sign him again

[@LorSuefong]

They agree to the CBA. Won’t being any kick out for another decade. 😂

[@gsam_dad5540]

The problem is that no one recognises the value of the RB position in relation to how much it opens up things for the QB: Dan Marino had no real RB & that lack made his offence one dimensional, the only reason Miami achieved anything was down to Marino's genius; if you took away Franco Harris, Roger Craig, Emmitt Smith et al & the QBs that excelled would have had a much harder time looking good & getting into the hall of fame. It's also absurd that RBs have to wait several years to get a contract & by that time they're carrying a lot of injuries.

[@isaiahh4108]

It’s not the runner but the OL and scheme

[@cj7139]

Emmitt Smith was great, but any RB would have destroyed the league behind the best offensive line in history. More importantly, in today's game, "opening up the defense" works the opposite. A team's success running the ball has more to do with offensive line play, respecting the QB, scheme, etc, than it does with the starting RB's ability.

[@rdtworld9720]

The problem is with your examples is that they played in an era where the average passer rating was 80, the interception % was 3.5 and the average completion % was less than 60%. Now the passer rating average is 90, completion % is 64% and interception % is 2.3. Less risk for QBs, more consistent pass completions and overall better efficiency makes running the ball for 4-5 yards a carry not a necessity.

[@gunkanjima3408]

NFLPA needs to get rid of the franchise tag, and backs should stop signing deals with a 5th year team option

[@johnmccann1960]

Any Player is only worth what an Organization is willing to pay them. They can say "I'm worth 'X' amount of Dollars" but it doesn't mean a Team Owner has to agree. Just life a warehouse worker or Waitress. What makes a RB so special?

[@harrypatterson8802]

This comes from the continuous efforts to diefy the qb position...mainly b/c of what America want to see them look like...now they pay people to protect them and receivers to make them look good. But back in the day...the MVP's were Walter Payton, Dorsett, Earl Cambell, marshal Faulk, etc

[@nusoundent.4334]

Before Gurley their was Chris Johnson

[@jgreasy1213]

this should be taken care of within the union. all players deposit into a RB fund, and RB's split it among themselves however they see fit. there, i fixed football.

[@onthemoney8356]

It unbelievable how disrespected RB's are. Guys are going to have to start sitting out! Teams don't even pay them after salary caps increase.

[@choiyatlam2552]

The problem is sitting out really hurt the RB. You only average 3 years of career and your body fell off at 27, while 30 is an unanimous death sentence except for a few beasts.

[@cj7139]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume that you were also ignorant enough to march for BLM...

[@TOHL1995]

I'm for RB's getting more money. What QB's get paid is outrageous. Granted, a lot of these people don't live in the real world, and getting paid 10 mil a year is something 99% of people won't see. Now a precendent is set where people are playing for money and not the game.

[@maxwatkins7032]

People only care about running backs bc there names and they have stats and u look at them, no one cares about the other positions that get replaced constantly

[@Steelers-rk3ig]

RB’s are fungible, build a good Oline and 50 guys could be a top RB. Can’t find top WR, QB or DE just any where vs RB’s.

[@MikeB-mo1tk]

Look at the Chiefs. Proof you dont need a 3 down bell cow back. The Eagles were comfortable enough to let Miles Sanders walk. The Bills let thier top RB leave. Top teams dont spend on RBs.

[@clutchsolo]

💯

[@aerobertson]

Yea but the Giants not a top team

[@christopherkenyon7112]

The league itself has devalued the running back position by making it a passing league. I miss the days when LT was playing. The league was a better league. The rules have ruined this game I used to love.

[@jdkdidiidididli]

@*_†±

[@yen9659]

Saquan or jacobs would not last a entire season this year if they were to play before they got hurt 😂.. the sad truth on why they will not get paid

[@DdDd-tx5dh]

They should just get rid of the rb position if the owners wanna be cheap

[@r.minnis9722]

pay a running back and there goes their effort

[@jordanholland616]

Daniel Jones is gonna suffer without saqon in the backfield

[@isaiahh4108]

Nah Daboll and Kafka are schemers at the highest order go back and watch the 95 yd go ahead TD drive Jones lead w/o Saquon in London

[@ericcook7622]

These guys can cry all they want, but recent history has shown that paying a running back big money is a bad decision.

[@LORDTRILLL]

Thanks to Mel kiper

[@xxxdpgxxxx1389]

LamaRB Jackson should hold an all star rb meeting dude got paid!

[@jaimetorresjr1930]

Running back should be the only position to skip draft and go to free agency their best years are the first four years so if u want one of the top young backs you pay for them up front …bad deal from nflpa if I’m a current running back in his first year I prove myself one time and hold out

[@Vibezz92]

RBs are done for 🤦‍♂️

[@tomwallenfeldt3139]

Pay dirt is not economical and our country is soft like the NFL. Grid iron days used to mean something to us fans. I would love to be proven different.

[@vichetkeo7183]

The fans lose 😢. So much money to go around and you can’t even pay RB fairly. It’s a microcosm of corporate America. Hard working blue collar people gets used, abused, and then replaced. RB are the blue collar workers of the NFL. If I was Saquon, this year I would tell them… I’m playing WR. Play slot WR Saquon!

[@seansmith4150]

The nfl have to do, what's right in this situation pay those guys for five years: decent amount of money and get rid of them...what's this man talking about.. 22 million is for two years

[@Supafreshh]

As someone who has probably worked their entire life for this, it is unfair… but me? give me a million dollars to play football, I’m good 😅

[@0HOLSTER]

Proves that the NFL is all about money and not equality or ethics. The reason rbs are so injury prone is cause of their position or I should say positions cause offenses today expect them to be linemen and wrs too but not make as much money as them doing one job compared to the rbs 3. The media is just as bad. How many of these people told Lamar not to play cause his financial future isn't set but rbs the whole it's just how the league is. Or how they're bringing up running qbs but constantly complain about them doing it cause it puts them at risk. So the highest paid player on the team which is the qb takes the least risks while the rb who is paid the least is expected to break his body and then tossed aside. That's America for you. The rich get all the protection fame while everyone else does the hard work.

[@jackdavis1475]

“Proves that the nfl is all about the money”….buddy, so is saquon Barkley evidently

[@stevenhornostaj5676]

8 of top 12 rushers last year were rookie contracts......😊

[@opticmusprime808]

This man wrote a whole essay talking about the NFL is all about money 😂😂😂 Duh!!! What business isnt??? The players are also about the money. This man crying about ethics lol hahaha you definitely one of these sensitive soft millineals

[@MikeB-mo1tk]

Well it is a business. Smh

[@dexterwestin3747]

Is this for real? Stop acting like it is some American injustice that someone that makes more than 99.9999% of the general population is being underpaid. No one is making them play football professionally.

[@jrcrashin4575]

RB’a get paid earlier. Negotiate it in the next CBA . Easy fix

[@rdtworld9720]

Teams will stop drafting running backs at all then

[@abdeenabdul7803]

This is all talk until you put your money where your mouth is , imagine all running backs in the league sat out and stopped playing

[@cameronbolden5064]

Never and I mean NEVER listen to Adam he’s a team shill

[@zachmarion7320]

The pump and dumb running back strategy is why. You take young legs the for the first 3 years of there career and then quickly replace. Before CMC the niners were the kings of this. They rotated 3 fast running backs that ended up averaging like 4.5 ypc but also averaged 3 ACL tears🤣🤣 it’s sad but it’s true, there’s only a handful of running backs able to be dominate over the 3-4 year mark. And your able to save so much cap just signing 1 year backs to destroy themselves for one year. No loyalty

[@KENZYmode]

Adam the only one that made sense in those whole thing

[@dariusjohnson6013]

I’m not paying a RB that’s 4 years in sorry not happening. They don’t really contribute to winning big games.

[@cameronbolden5064]

Casual take mcaffeey and Debo was the reason the 9ers were good

[@Daniel-rc2bu]

@@cameronbolden5064 youre the only casual here. teams dont need great running backs to have a good run game anymore. a good o line and a decent back is enough to relieve some pressure off the QB. Tell me how many recent super bowl winners had a top 5 or 8 RB on their team? NONE beast mode was the last great rb to be on a super bowl winning team. RB is no longer a premier position in the nfl. Qb O-line and Wr are all way more importtant.

[@cj7139]

@@Daniel-rc2bu Not only is he "the last one", he might be the only one since 1997 Cowboys....

[@ColonelZeta]

As a Giants fan, I respectfully never want to hear Daniel Jones be referred to as Danny Dimes. You have to earn nicknames like that.

[@damienlahoz]

No one talking about how horrible the giants handled this from the beginning. giants did everything in their power to squeeze 26. Constant leaks to the media from the bye till monday painting 26 as a greedy player unwilling to do business. thats whack af. If the Giants dont value RBs why did the franchise 26 to begin with? they could have let him walk like the Eagles did with sanders, kept the 10 mil for Love, another RB, a CB and an Edge. or let him walk and deal with him as a FA and if they couldnt make a deal, use the money to fill other areas. Makes no sense. Except when you consider the Giants have been a dumpster fire for over 10 years with a meddlesome owner. all the Giants did was buy months of distraction going into the season, alienated the most popular player in the locker room and showed they are willing to do business in the media and throw players under the bus. by any metric this was an absolute fail by the giants. Again.

[@Sephiroth766]

What they did was refuse to pay RB a second contract. Thats a win and most giants fans are in agreement.

[@allownothing8842]

NFL made all this money and is about to lose a lot of it all because they’re not paying RBs the money they deserve, that’s kinda selfish if you ask me.

[@rdtworld9720]

They aren't going to lose any money because of running backs come on now

[@allownothing8842]

I’m saying if ALL running backs decided to quit, the NFL is going to lose money, I’m not saying they going broke or anything but definitely wouldn’t be making the same money.

[@rdtworld9720]

@@allownothing8842 that's just unrealistic then.

[@jjarnold220]

Pay these guys. There are only a few elite RBs. This entire segment was 🗑️

[@cj7139]

That's the whole point, all of these so-called elite guys project to be washed up very soon. See Gurley, L Bell, Kamara, and many more

[@jognfong8557]

Why do u think Lamar played QB and refuses to play another position? 😂 He knows that's the money. Every young RB should do the same, just say I'm a QB and if they disagree, pull the discrimination card ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@isaiahh4108]

Lamar won a hiesman at QB like Tebow on the other end of the spectrum if you proven to be a QB in college definitely don’t switch unless you have too

[@Highlyoffensive]

NFL runningbacks are replaceable. You have a handful of actually good runningbacks but literally we've seen other positions play running back and do it just as good if not better then some. Runningbacks arent as versatile as they want you to believe

[@JackieMoonSeeYaSoon]

Forgot Booger worked at ESPN ctfu