Rich Eisen: NFL RBs Have a Right to Be Mad about Their Dwindling Paydays | The Rich Eisen Show

Rich Eisen weighs the growing frustration among NFL running backs like the New York Giants Saquon Barkley as the position becomes devalued in the minds of GMs yet remains an important cog in teams’ offenses.
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[@Ajo7771]

Reduce the RB rookie deals to 2 years instead of 4. Give RBs a shot to get paid

[@dilwalecricket]

Exactly running back should have a two-year contract with the team option for the third and then they can only get franchise ones and get paid a percentage of what the top three running backs in the NFL made Under no circumstances, should they be under a five-year contract +2 years of franchise tags that’s their whole career basically if that

[@Mike__B]

Are there any positions where there's something "special" with contracts due to the position they play? No? Then don't start now with this 2 year contract garbage JUST for running backs.

[@carsandsports123]

Not a terrible idea

[@dreprofit84]

I like this take

[@ryanerickson5786]

IDK this could have the opposite effect what if no one will draft a RB high reducing they’re salary further decreasing the value of the position.

[@osufan77]

It's literally the deepest position in every level of football. Dudes can be plucked as undrafted rookies and be productive. That's no one's fault really. Same would happen with QB's if suddenly stud QB's were developing at the same clip.

[@NicoEss]

Fair perspective. Totally agree

[@97NikeSb]

But not everybody can block, run, and catch at that position. Yes it’s deep when it comes to running the ball but to do everything it’s so easy to pluck some nobody.

[@daquandavis5498]

Doesn’t mean they don’t deserved to be paid more… they are arguing the position itself deserves bigger contracts

[@Bambino_60]

Fake news… word salad 🥗 When’s the last un-drafted RB to lead the league in rushing or yards from scrimmage? Who’s the last RB that was un-drafted to rush for 1000 yards? Who’s the last un-drafted RB to make a pro bowl? Probably Arian Foster.

[@isaiahh4108]

@@Bambino_60Austin Ekeler is a pro bowler

[@MonJcFarland5]

I think rich is confusing the value of the position itself with the value of the actual player. The running back position is incredibly valuable to the success of the team but each individual player is replaceable because it’s a lot easier to get a good running back than other skill positions. Floods the market, decreases individual price.

[@PanthersJunkie23]

Perfectly said

[@MonJcFarland5]

@@PanthersJunkie23 Cheers!

[@blakeharris58]

EXACTLY

[@timvyfvinkel4542]

Most teams that cycle through RB's to save $ end up with Average RB's, not great ones

[@samuelfletcher1407]

Chiefs have done it for the past couple years. Two super bowls.

[@matchettian]

I love how rich has this explained to him every single day, and his response is to ignore all of the information and just try and guilt a multi billion dollar organization into overpaying one of their employees. Like propose a structural solution- change the amount of leverage running backs have- do something real to help them. No successful team is just gonna pay someone more because it’s the right thing to do. Can’t wait for tomorrow’s identical segment.

[@carsandsports123]

It's the one thing about Rich I don't like. He wants player interviews so bad he ignores all big picture data.

[@ZacharyJohnG]

He’s a sportscaster not an economist-why don’t you propose something “once a poet always a po”, oh wait….The problem is the overpaying of people who are less crucial to a team’s success. If there’s a hard cap there should be a reasonable piece of the pie pay for people touching the ball as much as they do.

[@7kbolding]

Couldn’t have said it better myself, his only worse take is when he gets all enraged over players who didn’t get vaccinated

[@vincentbatten4686]

Lol, imagine being an apologist for billionaires. XD. What a fuckin mind blower.

[@myplantswearpants1030]

@@7kboldinguntil it’s not popular anymore to do so or an unvaccinated player is gonna lead the Jets

[@IamCaleum]

Every RB should identify as WR that can also play RB so they actually get paid.

[@alfredjones4925]

😂

[@BoondockGore]

Eventually no one will want to play rb in peewee,hs,college and there will be a bunch of slow stalky wr's in the NFL lol

[@DannyKaffee]

They should identify as a QB and really rake in the money.

[@GeronFletcher]

Yeah every incoming rb just list themselves as a receiver etc. no one list themselves as a rb anymore. Then when they say hey can you run the all here? Be like I’m a receiver I get receiver money lol

[@RobertSmith-tu7rl]

@@BoondockGore RBs are slow?????? dumb comment

[@Jaycutler709]

Yes. Absolutely. Unfortunately Running backs are easily replaceable, so much is about scheme. And they ARE easily replaceable unfortunately. It's just smart business to draft and develop a guy and then let him loose. It's not like WR, Corner, where you literally can be exposed.

[@Prederick]

Yup. Like, I completely understand and agree with Saquon's frustration and the anger of the greater RB community. I also don't think the team should give him, or really, any RB, a huge deal. It's just too easy to find a replacement if you have a good scheme.

[@zsefton]

It's easier to find another Daniel Jones than it is to find another Saquan

[@johnknowssports5624]

You’ve never played football. A “serviceable” running back is replaceable but a Great RB is indispensable

[@johnknowssports5624]

“Hold my Beer 🍺” ~ Jim Brown ~ Barry Sanders ~ Walter Payton LaDanian, AP, Marshawn, TD, Marshall Faulk, ….

[@Jaycutler709]

@@johnknowssports5624 are we saying the same thing? Pay the top tier guys. The ones who are few and far between. Everybody else's enjoy your first 5 years. I say this as a bears fan. We've literally had a god run game for the last...idk how long. And haven't even paid a single dude in forever

[@mysticwhale3582]

I think there is just more of an abundance of good running backs in every draft

[@LordCyler]

Not for much longer

[@mylesbrew5410]

@@Neil-de1fhlol verrry few are getting that cumulatively by even year 3

[@tirrelldaveport3671]

​@@Neil-de1fhI don't think you are wrong. But I do think the quality of the position will go down soon. You'll start to see the good running backs transition to wide receiver or linebacker at the end of high school. Guys who are pigeon holed into the position in college will enter the transfer portal. I think pretty soon running back will be the position you are if you can't do anything else.

[@Whiskey61]

@@LordCyler What position are the guys who are too short to play WR, LB, OLine, Dline, etc going to do? Just not play football at all?

[@Whiskey61]

@@tirrelldaveport3671 How many WRs are there under 6 foot? Unless you have literal world class sprinter speed like Tyreek Hill you aren't going to make it in the NFL. How many linebackers under 6 foot? Some DBs are, but they have insane quickness and speed and a mentality that few humans have. For a lot of these guys running back is their only avenue to keep playing football.

[@kingsaw5282]

It’s comes down to the 4-5 year rookie contracts. It pretty much covers 70% of their prime. Teams don’t wanna pay a premium for the remaining 30%. Shorten the rookie deal for RBs and problem is solved.

[@anthonyrodriguez2413]

They will have to negotiate that in the next CBA (collective bargaining agreement)

[@RedMage117]

Literally the answer every single time anyone says "insert type of person here" is not being paid enough is....supply and demand. There is an over-supply of decent RBs, so the pay overall isn't very high. Meaning even RBs who are much better than average only get slightly more money. But then they usually fall off after a couple years so... pay stays supressed since nobody hangs around long enough to slowly jack prices up. Is what it is.

[@jordanpax9735]

Honestly I want saquan to sit out and watch the giants try to win with just Daniel Jones 😂

[@MidnightSouthpaw188]

LOL

[@miserq4189]

16-22-1 when both are playing… not great.

[@xavieonedavis1318]

Me too 😂😂

[@JohnRoland]

Check with LeVeon Bell

[@r3tr0actiongamer24]

saquan wouldn't be the reason they do good or bad. I hope he sits out all year because they'll easily will find his replacement.

[@Seeker794]

It's a QB game, every team needs their Mahomes or Burrow. Then it's a matter of building a healthy nucleus in the passing game, the bread and butter. Not every team gets to have the studs at their respective position, we've seen teams build around a solid running game with less success than the former in recent years. Superstar running backs command a price and render themselves the only egg in the basket.

[@pbskids4000]

Perfectly put

[@michaelmoss5976]

Rich, I can hear your passion for the individuals who give their absolute ALL for the love of the game and the physicality they bring. Fact of the matter is, economics is economics....supply & demand. There's an abundance of RBs and only so much cash that's allowed to be spent....it's a cost-savings routine because, literally, everyone needs to get paid. Even my team's sensational rookie last year K9 (Kenneth Walker) was hurt last year and so, Seattle re-loaded the RB room in the offseason. Facts is facts!

[@GeronFletcher]

Give em 1-2 year rookie dealsn

[@Keith-cl3th]

The NFL is not saying running backs don’t matter or that they are being devalued. Look no further than the most recent draft as proof. What teams are saying is the pond is stocked. Good running backs are easy to find.

[@tirrelldaveport3671]

That's a bad example. The reason why those two were picked so high is because they are amazing pass catchers. Bijan and Jamhyr could literally both play wide reciever.

[@julian3560]

Including what you said, RB is one position that transfers from college to NFL easier than other positions.

[@Keith-cl3th]

@@tirrelldaveport3671 And Saquan, Dalvin Cook and Jacobs don’t? That was a BAD response.

[@Keith-cl3th]

@@tirrelldaveport3671 And Saquan Barkley, Dalvin Cook and Josh Jacobs aren’t? That was a BAD and poorly informed response!

[@philthornton1382]

Running backs are infinitely more replaceable than any other position, it’s market forces They’re still making millions

[@AdamKlownzinger]

They have a right to be angry. Being angry, however, does not make you right.

[@stephanalexander9304]

important to note that there seems to be a lot of supply of good running backs, couple that with durability, injury risk and prevalence you have the position perhaps not being devalued but spread across more players: higher risk, lower lifespan, more shoulders... hence less pay.. the world isnt fair

[@wcjohnson123]

Its almost as if one network spent an entire year telling everyone whom would listen that only one position matters......

[@AdamKlownzinger]

How does a man in his 50s still get this mad at the idea of supply and demand, as well as longevity?

[@FakeScienceMan]

I think you know the answer, my friend.

[@dennismenace1756]

Pacheco would have had over 1000 yards for the Chiefs last year, but CEH was the starter until injured.

[@Bones12x2]

Hence the lack of value... Plug n play

[@d.a.baracus1438]

I think there are 2 ways to win in the NFL: (1) Have an All-Pro QB, (2) have a good game-managing QB, a great RB, & great defense. The issue is that every team chases the former w/o realizing that it's probably easier to do the latter.

[@MultiRastaman3]

I think the issue with RB’s is that NFL teams don’t think to play multiple backs, especially if they have a top tier guy. That’s why a lot of these dudes get hurt. I’m a Panthers fan and we actually ran the ball BETTER last year after we traded CMC. This was because we were playing 2 good backs instead of 1 great one. They devalue the position due to injuries even though most of the time the top guys get hurt from overuse which is the team’s fault to me. Idk it’s silly that the rushing leader can’t get a contract.

[@Hartmaniac]

Nobody is saying the running back is not important. Value and how important you are are two different things. There is an abundance of running back talent in the NFL. Why pay Saquon Barkley and I can get 9/10s of his talent from a second or third rounder. It would be a stupid business move. Why did everybody in sports media give the Cowboys a hard time when they paid Elliott?? Y’all would be calling the Giants idiots if they would’ve paid Saquon.

[@Luke_Stone]

There’s too many skilled RBs coming out of college every year. Over saturation of the market. Literally almost every major D1 school has a rb that can get yardage in the NFL in a scheme

[@LordCyler]

The aren't a S. Barkley or D. Henry.

[@SPACEKNOCKERZ76]

Wish Qb contracts only took up a percentage of the cap.

[@MidnightSouthpaw188]

They do take up a percentage of the cap, a large percentage...........Hoo, I say, Hoo Hah!

[@Wyndamn]

​@@MidnightSouthpaw188😂😂😂😂

[@Whiskey61]

It would be funny because the high tax states would get no good QBs. Playing in Texas and Florida vs New York and California could be a $10 million dollar per year difference.

[@samuelault4723]

I don’t really think that shortening the rookie contract will help. The second contract is the isssue and making it come up sooner doesn’t really seem like a solution to me. I think they could just make 80% of their annual salary go against the cap or have pay bonuses tied to PB and AP selections.

[@TheCapn23]

Sorry, but you can get decent enough performance from a draft RB. It might not be elite performance but you don't need elite. It's supply and demand. Someone will have to prove the value of the elite RB for it to change.

[@notsure7813]

Todd Gurley and Zeke massively under performing their contracts really hurt the RB market

[@GeronFletcher]

Running backs shouldn’t have to wait 5 years for a contract. If he got a new contract year 2 it would have been better

[@daviddunnigan8202]

Solution…Saquon announces return after training for a year as slot receiver..he will make 20 easy, Tyreek makes almost 30 million.

[@BuddyIsreal352]

Alternative title: Rich complains about free market valuations with a salary cap. The market tells you the uncomfortable truth.

[@aheroictaxidriver3180]

The rookie contracts aren't market based.

[@zsefton]

Did you just mention "free market" and "salary cap" in the same sentence? 🤡

[@mrkeyes88]

If you need 1 yard the call is a qb sneak and the conversion difference isn’t remotely close.

[@stephensmith3028]

And this is why i love this show!

[@raphael2407]

I understand kids want to see Mahomes play backyard football all day (and totaly ignore what the O-Line and Kelce are doing for him), but for me old fart there is nothing more beautiful to watch than a good running game. Watching CMC with my beloved Niners last season was among the best things I have ever seen.

[@patrickoneill8707]

Ditto

[@Icefarmer101]

The real problem is the dramatic drop off RBs have. The Gurley and Zeke situations give coaches nightmares. Most RBs are best in the first 6-7 years even if they deserve an extention it didn't make business sense to do it. 😢

[@deontabowen4800]

Then reduce the length of the RB rookie contract

[@Icefarmer101]

@@deontabowen4800 I would take more drastic action but that would be a good start.

[@scruffd0g193]

Not even 6-7 years, these guys are damaged goods by year 4.

[@AdamKlownzinger]

I love when people who don’t understand economics just call things unfair without understanding anything about it.

[@mylessmith8059]

But it literally isn’t fair. Fair is subjective Just because the market dictates your value doesn’t make it fair. There are people who work 80 hours a week to make ends meet and there are CEO’s who barely do shut making millions. There are mediocre QB’s making more than top Running Backs. Neither example are fair but it is what it is

[@danscoglio2884]

Investing in your line is way more valuable and wise than buying a running back. If the line is good the back just isn’t as important

[@mgb4692]

AP's 2000-yard season coming the year after Steve Hutchinson left would like a word

[@danscoglio2884]

@@mgb4692 you can always find an exception to just about anything. I’m still taking a line every time and it’s not close

[@dylancooper1161]

Demarco had a GREAT stretch of play with the titans after leaving Dallas

[@patrickoneill8707]

1900 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns in two years. Another six hundred forty yards receiving and 4 touchdowns. You are correct. I didn't remember that. Thank you for reminding me.

[@billythekidder7182]

They could always get real jobs if they are that upset about it.

[@viktorstagnetti7491]

Hurr durr moronic response.

[@galinswigart]

Crucial position, yes. But also very replaceable if you have a great team around the player. You need a great running GAME, not a great running BACK. OL play, QB play, and offensive scheme are all arguably more important to the running game than the person carrying the ball. Too many quality young late round picks to invest heavily in the RB position. A few guys do enough different things to warrant a deal, but not many. It’s tragic, but a reality of the modern business of football.

[@hdmairbf]

That’s a good way to put it.

[@904TallerTim]

Sucks because certain players have ruined it for the next generation which is just a BS excuse used by the teams but La'von Bell with the Jets, Fournette's last contract with the Bucs, Todd Gurley with the Rams, have bad contracts for the teams and they used that to create this narrative

[@BlackJax125]

Crazy right. 3 or 4 rbs have bad contracts or get hurt because of overuse and now all of a sudden "the running backs are replaceable" narrative pops up.

[@GeronFletcher]

Naw we’re not gonna blame them lol every position has had bad contracts

[@MikeyDellaVella]

Agreed whole heartedly with everything you said. He deserved the bag.

[@goshberliner502]

He's getting $10M+ guaranteed next year. That's a bag.

[@MikeyDellaVella]

@@goshberliner502 that’s A bag but not THE bag

[@stevegalvan7082]

I fully agree with you Rich!!!!

[@OldManInternet]

I think the market will level itself out. Right now there are enough good backs out there that there is no reason to pay them crazy money, since you can also get away with a committee approach. But when guys stop playing RB in college and start playing other positions, suddenly a good running back will become a rare thing, and they'll gain value again. Also, part of the reason WRs make more is that teams generally field 3 of them per play, vs 1 RB, so there are simply more receiver jobs out there. After a few years of no real special RBs coming out of college, the market will rebound when a few specials backs to show up. But in this passing league, what it takes to turn heads as a RB requires you to either be Henry (simply that dominant) or CMC (nightmare in the pass game).

[@johnknowssports5624]

The “special” Super Star RBs do what no other RB can do There is only 1 Derrick Henry, 1 Saquan Barkley, 1 Dalvin Cook, only 1 C-Mac, One Nick Chubb and only 1 Alvin Kamara

[@Bones12x2]

Yep, if a team doesnt wamt to pay an elite RB. Eventually other teams will pay him well enough or the market will proven that they aren't needed.

[@shepshape2585]

It's basic economics, supply and demand. It's also about importance. There are a LOT of good running backs these days. Hell the Jets are overflowing with running backs. But as Rich points out to disprove his own argument, they're not needed like they used to be. For many years, running backs were making huge money. The league has changed and it's all about passing the ball. Yes, running backs still do their thing, but not to the degree that they were doing it 10-20 years ago. I'm not about to lose a wink of sleep because some guy who can run with a ball is only going to make $10mil a year instead of $15mil. Poor little soul. You could always work for a living.

[@pglanville]

It's not

[@shepshape2585]

@@pglanville Wow, that's quite the retort. Did you spend a lot of time coming up with that? I mean, I'd argue with you, but who could argue with "it's not" in relation to an entire paragraph of multiple points.

[@pglanville]

Lol. Brevity is best see sometimes.

[@alexbenton6306]

Isaiah Pacheco Rushed for 76 yards 15 carries and. TD in the super bowl with a broken hand (I was at the Arrowhead Invitational Game he broke it at 2 weeks before) and a torn labrum. He is the man

[@phonyponybologna1070]

Derrick Henry's point is interesting because if this continues the way it has been, no player is going to want to play RB when they're in high school or college, because they know what that means for them. They're going to try to switch to another position.

[@donaldbonner9526]

I think that may be what happens. They already took the fullback out. They use a lot of jet sweeps.

[@misterbean7328]

If a guy wants to see the field badly enough, he’s gonna play RB. The position is not going away anytime soon

[@terry7907]

Well, the problem with that is that if they want to play, they may not have a choice. If they could play QB, they would already be playing it. If they were built to play DL/OL/TE, they would be playing it. If they were skilled enough to be a WR1/CB1, they would be playing it. But if they are 5’9”-6’0 and lack the bulk or skill to play other positions, then they can be (maybe) an RB1…or not play. And what job are they going to get that pays as well as the NFL?

[@Az-dc4nu]

RB need to start a breakaway union and demand that their contracts are renegotiated at year two.

[@BenLeavitt]

If they’re that hard to replace, the market would show that

[@hdmairbf]

A team with an elite RB still needs a nearly elite QB to win a championship(ie Tennessee). A team with an elite QB only needs a pretty good RB at most. Name a modern running back who carried their team to a SB win; then name all the QBs who have carried their teams to a SB win. RB are (in general, NOT ALWAYS) plug and play

[@loganford1220]

Offensive line performance is 10 times more important then the running back behind them. Team/ should and do put their resources there. A great RB with a bad line is just ok. But an ok back with a great line can be great.

[@hw9953]

Rich is the same guy who cheers when Daniel Jones gets $40m a year.. This is a consequence of that.

[@BrutalShoG]

Jones deal has nothing to do with Barkley

[@p.alterego3424]

@@BrutalShoG the roaster can have 100 mil salary in total. the qb gets 99 mil, how much can the rest get ? you wana get rb more money, who shall get less ? and the biggest earner is the qb. which cant be touched, so who you wana cut ? wide recievers ? but they leave and go somewhere else, who pays them ....

[@carsandsports123]

​@@p.alterego3424*They should just make it work and go around the cap* every ignorant NFL gun ever.

[@BrutalShoG]

@@p.alterego3424 the majority of money that used to go to RB's has slowly shifted over to WR's and Oline . Blame the rules and over protection of QB's. The day you let defensive backs defend again you will see a shift where money goes. This issue will only get worst for the RB market. Have you seen the influx of young RB in the league making peanuts?

[@theleap2946]

So after years of overvaluing Quarterbacks and edge rushers and praising passing attacks, suddenly the running back is important? Don’t think the media is culpable in this mess. The desire for scoring and faster paced games brought this change, so it’s pretty dishonest when the media rants like this.

[@damonke79]

The Giants overpaid Jones and are going to not pay Barkley? It's ridiculous. You're telling me that they couldn't have found a way to pay Jones 36 mil a year and then given Barkley 14? That's the same amount of total money and both guys would have been happy.

[@douglasfreckman8190]

2nd part being that the game has been so pass focused and pussified that a hard running,downhill,looking to make contact first is a dying breed.

[@theglitchexplorer3488]

When was the last time they paid a RB and it worked out

[@pglanville]

How many QBs got paid and were busts?

[@Rucarlos]

RBs are the 1 position that makes no sense to seek a payday later in their career. Their best years are always in their rookie contract.

[@jonathanhaven1690]

They absolutely have to renegotiate how RB pay is structured because RBs are getting screwed.

[@LobsterRavioli]

These RB’s are being replaced by running QB’s. A great RB gives you 1400 yards, a running QB gives you around a 1000 yards rushing and say 3500 yards maybe passing. Most of these running QB’s are damaged goods around the same time a RB is about finished. They’ve been replaced in many ways. Daniel Jones needs a running game because he’s not the best runner or passer, but not many other teams are in that situation. I love a good running game, but the running QB is the craze at the moment.

[@VTBoxerguy]

Yeah, RBs dont get paid because by the time they get their payday, they have are often past their prime which is about 4-5 years, and they fall off quick. How often do you see a star RB get a big deal and live up to it. Nearly never.

[@wwpjd28]

Its a salary cap sport. If NFL and NHL got rid of salary caps, you'd see everyone getting paid what they are worth. But with the cap, QB, WR, OL, pass rushers and CB are going to make the most.

[@Bones12x2]

Then you'd see the sport suck like the NBA. And the players would ruin parity.

[@wwpjd28]

@@Bones12x2 Baseball has tons of parity. All but maybe 3-5 teams are actual trying to compete this year with all different payrolls. A salary cap doesn't automatically mean parity. I would argue NFL has the least parity of the major 4 sports because it is entirely decided by the best 4-5 QBs in the league. You look at the last 20 Super Bowls, and almost all of them had both representatives having top 5-10 QBs with a few rare exceptions of a Flacco or Foles getting crazy hot at the right time and supported by exceptionally well built teams. You can confuse that for parity because it really seems almost random which teams happen to luck out and draft a guaranteed HOF QB given the crapshoot drafting QBs can be. But it is not parity. That sport even more than the NBA (which I don't watch at all but that is more for completely destroying the style of the game and the importance of the regular season than parity) is defined by one start player.

[@donaldcarter3723]

The NFLPA agreed to this CBA Back in 2020. Rookies got screwed in that deal.

[@Charleybones]

Great discussion. Rich speaks a lot of truth gere.

[@techierg1862]

Unfortunately for the record most running backs once they get their big money usually don’t produce so it doesn’t help that position, now if running backs if they all did great after getting paid they would likely continue to get paid

[@TheOsfania]

No, Rich, it's this simple: supply and demand. Supply outweighs demand, forcing prices down.

[@georgewashington1106]

Unfortunately, this is like arguing that you should buy a Cadillac Escalade to commute to work, when a Corolla does the same thing for one fifth the price.

[@scottreed240]

You should work at the Amazon Warehouse if you think that NFL Running backs feel devalued by ownership!

[@TokyoZero04]

Let undo the new rules that over protects wide receivers and quarterbacks. That would make things fair across the board. There are too overpaid quarterbacks that haven’t delivered any Super Bowls or postseason success yet the has no problem paying them. All running backs should strike and look out for themselves in the next CBA

[@zzdoodzz]

I would be surprised if they ever did an RB strike, as they would just get replaced by guys desperate to play in the NFL. The only thing that will change this is the NFLPA bargaining for something different (like for example a 2 year RB rookie contract period), too bad they had their chance in the recent collective bargaining and didn't do anything. Seems they were only concerned about wanting to smoke weed and not get fined, and instead gave up the fact they have to play an extra game (granted they get paid more, but they still complain). Tt's a 10 year contract period I believe, so the next CBA's a long ways away.

[@caseygregori]

CmC is a generational talent. When he joined the team, the 49ers averaged 35 a game with a defense that gave up an average of less than 20 a game. If you cant do that to for a team, i dont see how you get paid as a RB

[@stevenkidd6761]

Running backs seem to be 3 tiers,starting with the Eks and McCaffertys and the legit, dual threat RBs at Tier 1. Those RBs should be better paid than receivers, who really contribute far less!

[@benparadis3841]

Crazy how Derek Henry runs for 2000 yards and not MVP for that. Believe he’s only the 10th person in NFL history to do so

[@jasonbrown097]

Try only the 8th. Running backs are highly undervalued. Yes QBs are very important but people should not crap all over the backs for their invaluable contributions to a teams success

[@jonathansykes4986]

Not hard to do when you have 17 games instead of 16

[@jonathansykes4986]

@@jasonbrown097 Name the last Superbowl that was won because of a RB.

[@benparadis3841]

@@jonathansykes4986 Pacheco last years Super Bowl was huge for KC, James White for the Pats

[@benparadis3841]

And let’s not forget Rex Burkhead essentially getting the Pats to a superbowl in the AFC championship game

[@theblackpanda5860]

The NFL made the stupidest rules changes to reduce concussions/injuries. They gave QB's buffs like roughing the passer when they get hit far less. They should have emphasized RB injuries and gave these benefits (stats-wise and injury-wise) to the players who are most prone to injury. BTW, we STILL get QB's injured, quite often because they invite collisions in hopes of getting roughing the passer penalties.

[@adogg1818]

Did anybody else catch his Ferris Bueler movie reference? 😂 "Peterson"

[@nickbarcheck1019]

You can win a Super Bowl without a great running back. They're overpaid.

[@viktorstagnetti7491]

Obviously not. They aren't paid at all. Pay attention.

[@niqkwhite595]

Would you rather pay $13 Million/year for a running back, or be like the Eagles and pay ~$6 Million for 4 running backs and lead the NFL in rushing? It’s as if Rich literally doesn’t understand supply and demand economics from 5th grade social studies class.

[@shajardror]

1. RBs arent the most responsible for a running game. Its the O Line mostly. 2. RBs peak at years 1-3. 3. You can scheme around a below average RB. Cant do that with QB, WR, CB, OT which is why they get paid the most. 4. The diffrence between a top 10 RB and a top 40 RB given the same blocking and carries is like 200 yards at most. 4.5 Y/C vs 3.8 Y/C @ 250-300 carries

[@mgb4692]

AP in year six with a 2000-yard season the year after the Vikings best OL left, oh and off a torn ACL, would like a word

[@shajardror]

@@mgb4692 yes. Great HOF players are great. No one doubts that. Barry Sanders didmt get a single block in 10 years. I would pay Barry 20M a year. Would pay AP 18M. Emmit gets 7.5M at most. But I would pay Larry Allen to block for a 7th rd RB 25M. Thats the point. Saquan is a very good RB, not AP or Barry. He doesnt make a diffrence as much as D Hop would have for example.

[@bbb4228]

Rueben Droughns shouldn’t be a meme. He ran for 1,200 yards for the Browns in 2005 after that year in Denver.

[@cesco1990]

This is why they should allow corners to touch up receivers again. It will balance out more than corner and wide receiver.

[@NathanDean79]

It’s a myth that you can just take any ole UDFA and make him a star RB. I agree RBs are quite important. You also need offensive linemen who can run block. Most o lineman are better at either pass pro or run blocking. Like Bengals right tackle Lael Collins. He graded at 54 is pass blocking last year but was still a great at run blocking at 74

[@johnknowssports5624]

An absolute Myth. That’s just GM speak for “Run the Superstar RB into the ground and don’t pay them”

[@mazzith]

Someone does not have to be undrafted to be a productive runner. Tony Pollard was the fourth round draft pick. Three of the top four rushers of 2022 or second round draft picks. There just is too much of a cliff that running backs fall off when they hit what would be the prime for other positions add to the problem of high paid quarterbacks, you have to cut corner somewhere, and running backs is the legitimate spot where you can find a decent running back in the later rounds to fill the gap. You can get a couple of them a new running back by committee. No problem.

[@marks984]

The Chiefs HOF OLine turned a UDFA Priest Holmes into an All Pro.

[@jayzartbeatz]

I think the negotiations should be public. Tell us what contract you want and what they were willing to give you

[@zachstolpa6521]

The bigger point about addressing running back contracts is so you don’t get to a point where it’s seen as an undesirable position to play and like it or not that’s how it’s starting out be viewed by those playing it, that’s just the reality.

[@Dogon_SS]

I appreciate the RB campaign. This needs to be fixed

[@BlueLeprechaun15]

It sucks seeing how RBs are treated, but the way the draft is popping out more RBs, owners see a financial solution. Im with the Rbs, but thats how the league is now.

[@Pfsif]

QB's need to be devalued, they're paid too much. MOST are injured for 1/3 of their careers. (Yes there are exceptions).

[@bbb4228]

Supply and demand. If there weren’t 60 starting caliber RBs in the NFL, they’d get paid better.

[@patrickoneill8707]

Rich, DeMarco Murray had 2,300 combined rushing and receiving yards and 19 touchdowns in two years with Tennessee. What do you mean his career was over? Those are some outstanding numbers.

[@chrislangbein6312]

What if I told you could get 80% of the production of Saquon for 1/10th the price…

[@drewc4216]

Todd Guerly and Zeke Elliot showed us not to pay running backs top tier that hurts the franchise

[@xman9190]

The league should change the way it keeps stats. Any pass completed behind the line of scrimmage should count as a running play. Those plays reflect a RB's skills moreso than the QB's skills. It makes QBs appear to be better than they are at the expense of RBs.

[@singingchef23]

I think the perfect encapsulation of the position is the Pats vs Falcons. People don't pay attention but RBs changed that game

[@worldpeace8240]

Reduce rookies deals, pay these guys

[@berginlights3321]

The problem isnt how important the position is, we know how important the position is. The problem is that 90% of them decline after their first contract.

[@darryljohnson9518]

They already took the fullback position away. They’re already depreciating the middle linebacker position. They’re protecting the quarterback position more than any position. It’s a matter of time that they trade in the pads for flags.

[@adam7899]

Well it was just reported J.Jacobs was spotted boarding a plane and leaving Vegas, which shows hes going to hold out with no contract offer

[@josefo33]

RB's are highly underrated and under appreciated lately, and that's really, really sad, they are not protected by any rule, like the QB's & WR's, and is the only position in the offensive side of the ball, other than lineman, that keeps the spirit of football, physical football alive.

[@visionsofpromise]

"Anyone can play running back" Must've never heard of Trent Richardson lol

[@almessinger1834]

Hey Rich, I don’t think any of these stats devalue the RB, it’s obvious that to win a SB you need to have a good passing attack, which puts the ball in the hands of the RB less, resulting in less yards.

[@reymondlopez7468]

Only responding to the headline: hard to take anyone seriously when their “dwindling paycheck” is 10+ million.

[@scottym.9077]

Rich, you’re talking about a version of football that no longer exists. This current iteration is a passing game. You can’t talk about the devaluation of the RB position without discussing the unending inflation of the QB and WR positions. It’s a capped sport and the “next guy up” mentality is going to ultimately lead to hollowing out other positions.

[@jkaise42]

Running backs are a dime a dozen except for maybe top 2 or 3. They do well 95% of the time bc their o line is amazing.

[@VTBoxerguy]

It has nothing to do with how important the position is to the team. More to do with what age these guys are at their best. The best age for a RB is during their rookie contract.

[@hectorfrausto9705]

The game has evolved, all these super Athlete QBs coming year after year has changed how offenses utilize the running game and as a result the RB position isnt as valuable as it once was

[@johnknowssports5624]

Yet, Nick Chubb, Saquan, Derrick Henry, C-Mac, Alvin Kamara, Ekler , Josh Jacobs have 270 to 350 touches per season A Super Star 🌟 should be Paid like a Superstar regardless of position. Especially when they account for more than 1/3 of the Offense

[@hectorfrausto9705]

@@johnknowssports5624 Fans wont disagree with you, problem is the Fans arent the ones handing out contracts and the NFL doesnt see things the way fans do