The NFL Has a HUGE PROBLEM

Go to bit.ly/PrizePi... or use Promo Code "Mikerophone" to get up to $100 matched on your deposit!
Patreon: / mikerophone
Twitter: / mikerophonenfl
IG: / theflightmike
Support the Channel by becoming a member: / @mikerophone
Discord: / discord
Twitch: / tfmikerophone
TikTok: / mikerophonenfl
2nd Channel: / flightplays
Snapchat: FlightMikeSnap
MUSIC BY: open.spotify.c...
/ winterfreshmusic

[@JerryTolley420]

Jacobs should have gotten a 3 year 36 million dollar contract, with $24 million gaurnteed and an out in the 3rd year. He has been a bell cow for the Raiders for his entire career, and literally ran them into the playoffs in 2021. It's just sad.

[@MrHarlteen]

Raiders are slowly losing my support!

[@JerryTolley420]

@@MrHarlteen along with about 40 percent of Raider Nation. But I have been through some really tough times all we can do is hold on and wait till Davis fires this clown show of a staff. Hang in there it can't get any worse but we will be 4-13 this year at best.

[@Sj7-gr2hl]

​@@MrHarlteenafter what they did with Derek Carr and proved that winning isn't even the objective I would've already ended my fandom by now

[@TheAutumnWind_RN4L]

​@JerryTolley420 I agree. I've been through worse, but I've had the opportunity to actually see my team win a Superbowl (Even though I was 8). But I look at it like this, if Ferrari was bought by Elon Musk, moved to Austin, TX, where they put a fully electric Tesla motor in it, started mass producing them, but kept the Stallion logo, is that car really a Ferrari, or is it a knockoff Patriot?

[@BrandedWings]

💯

[@jonpike9991]

Back in the 60s until the 2000s, it was harder for QB to throw the ball and harder for WRs to get open. Teams had to run the ball.

[@gator6997]

its like people dont understand that the game has evolved

[@jonpike9991]

@gator6997 the NFL, changed the rules to make it easier for WRs to get open. Plus, you can't hit the QBs anymore

[@gator6997]

@@jonpike9991 yea its evolved into a more pass focused game which is way more exciting than watching a guy ram the ball up the line repeatedly

[@phantomblade89]

@@gator6997 no you just hate defense.

[@gator6997]

@@phantomblade89 lmao how do you figure that?

[@bellthebeast7235]

The best solution for this which could also apply to other positions would be a rookie contract performance clause. So for each player, in this case rbs, if they hit certain thresholds such as carrys, tds, yards, accolades (pro bowl, all pro), snap count, etc. there is a bonus tied to it that equals out to the difference between their yearly salary and a percentage of the salary cap. So essentially whatever the rookie reserve is for that season the league would be forced to put up the equivalent of 25% of that for bonuses each year. The pool of money for this would be created as a subsidy and paid out by the league office instead of the individual team to prevent teams from holding back their players. This way young players can get paid for dominating the league but also not interfering with team construction. This would only be during a players initial 4-5 year contract. For undrafted players or guys who are cut and change teams they are still eligible up until the 4 years if they perform well on the field.

[@dansbigfanguitarist]

Yeah, but the 4-5 year long clause is the biggest problem… that’s like 70-80% of a RBs prime if they are an outlier, and should be reduced for RBs to 1-2 years… this will also force teams to give rookie RBs more opportunity as well which is good for young RBs to prove themselves, that ways if their team doesn’t pay them after 2 years, they can get a deal at 22/23 years old for 3-5 years, and get paid for their prime performance

[@TOPGNBR1]

Not good because teams will sometimes bench player on purpose not to hit incentives

[@Hationor]

That ir simply wait until they're no longer eligible for this clause

[@TheLatinferno]

RBs are undervalued and disposable. Soon players won't want to play the position given the massive discrepancy in workload vs pay scale.

[@paulgood2218]

And when that happens then good backs will get payed more. Supply and demand

[@sterlingstar643]

@@paulgood2218 No, WR's will become hybrid WR/RB's like Deebo Samuel and Kamara. The days of pure RB's are numbered, much like the full back.

[@paulgood2218]

@@sterlingstar643 either way rb are not undervalued . It's just the market for them

[@litterbox2025]

That's why Gibbs got drafter as a wide out not an RB... Montgomery will take the work load till he breaks

[@TJfromEarth]

@@sterlingstar643 well then it seems one of the positions will have to evolve either way. as new coachescome through they could be of a mindset that doesnt use RBs the traditional ground and pound way and the position naturally evolves into a hybrid position, in which case even at the grassroots level players will begin playing that way. there is always going to be a need for the ball to be moved on the ground but the position may well be in the beginning of complete evolution. History is littered with jobs that simply dont exist anymore, as the new type of RB/WR becomes the norm then talented players will emerge and (hopefully) garner an appropriate pay for what they do

[@ChadShadel]

Problem is RB's don't last long. The elite backs aren't making it to Free Agency in their prime to be able to fairly set the RB market because of the franchise tag system. One solution for a suppressed position like this would be to make the salary cap a set figure or perhaps base it solely on the top one or two contracts. It needs to be more expensive or teams will have no incentive to pay their guys just forcing them to play on the tag for 1-3 years.

[@rage508cardsngrails]

But the league switching to rb by committee has DEFINITELY EXTENDED THEIR PRIME IN THE NFL FOR SURE

[@ChadShadel]

@@rage508cardsngrails How has it increased the length of RB careers? You see an increase in 30 year olds playing RB?

[@rage508cardsngrails]

@@ChadShadel sorry I meant giving bell cow rbs more of their optimal years if done right like thunder an lightning like 49ers with McCaffrey he should have been finished after all he's been thru but plugging in the other backs helps like kc as well, the pats with Stevenson & Harris if u do it right I believe your getting more of there optimal running years longer today rather than running 1 back (like in the 90s) for 28 carries a game an have a 5-7 year shelf life at best for the top end backs (AP, beastmode, etc..) obviously are not human because they did it on a higher level an are the last of the real bruiser backs unless Henry keeps it up at the pace he has been? Other than that teams have seemed to run a stable of really good backs instead of just one Top Tier back if that makes sense

[@clevelandcbi]

​@@rage508cardsngrailsAs a Browns fan I LOVE that Chubb has split carries. Still averaging 5.2ypc and 1250+ yards. Hope he retires a Brown.

[@MRHEEL-ys2rq]

Its like the NFL is saying the running back is NOT worth the money and you can just plug anyone in there and get the same kind of production. Absolutely not true

[@giantfanmisery5087]

That’s actually what they’re saying

[@giantfanmisery5087]

And u may say it’s not true but look at teams like the cowboys

[@MRHEEL-ys2rq]

@@giantfanmisery5087 and look where and how they finished too

[@Sj7-gr2hl]

​@@giantfanmisery5087yeah but Zeke just was never more talented than pollard to begin with. He. Just went to Ohio State with that beast OL. You can't just plug anyone in there and win games. There is a talent gap that they're ignoring. You plug saquan on any team and your chances of winning just improved

[@yiehnewtamiru7324]

@@Sj7-gr2hlthe evolution of the position will be great runner take can play the slot and pass block

[@ryanboldt7751]

One of the reasons teams might not want to invest in a running back is they get hurt a lot and have shorter careers, where quarterbacks are protected and tend not to get hurt so much. And year to year if you look at the leading rushers in the NFL, they tend to change a lot, so why invest a ton of money in a position where production and longevity is so uncertain? Look at Ezekiel Elliott - not the best use of money. You could’ve gotten a bunch of other people to have similar production for a fraction of the cost. Even his running mate, Pollard has outperformed him for the last three years.

[@Chewy_GarageBandDad]

Same is being said about recievers. but they getting paid.

[@thxricxlegaming]

How many problems the NFL gonna have like damn 💀🤣

[@wildcard650]

I think we're just starved for content until the season starts

[@BrandedWings]

NFL will never run out of problems

[@justingibson508]

​@@BrandedWingsWhole shitshow can go down like the titanic for all I care. Fk em all!

[@O4C209]

Every Pro Bowl counts as an escalator for the Tag. So if you make the Pro Bowl, it bumps up to Year 2 of the Tag. You make 3 Pro Bowls, they can't Tag you. Do this for all positions.

[@trev6783]

I would like to talk about TE pay on the other hand. Practically every super bowl contender or winner has had at minimum an above average TE, if not flat out elite. The elite TE has to be good at 4 things: pocket pro, lead block, outlet receiver, and route runner. Only the QB has more responsibilities than a TE and yet TE's are vastly underpaid considering.

[@cclark2021]

I think G. Kittle and his 75mill, 40mill guaranteed contract would disagree with you.

[@trev6783]

@@cclark2021 You're kinda making my point for me. Kittle has a yearly average of like 13mil. That's average pay for a WR. Amari Cooper for example has like an annual average of 20mil. He would be the 23rd highest paid WR. You really think 90% of those WR's are more important to their team than Kittle is?

[@ezekielrozier4543]

Stop picking up blitzing LBs I bet they start paying RBs

[@cole4236]

Haha

[@isaiah1065]

Lmaoooo RB strike

[@cornpopwasabaddudeandhehad4737]

Facts

[@trappestarrgaming3422]

That would hurt the back more then anything cuz hes getting dropped and replaced by a blocking TE

[@carlfrye1566]

Yeah, that's it, don't play your position, that should get you a better contract...LOL! You should be a RB agent.

[@SamSamSamJ]

It's sad what teams are doing with running backs. RB's take a beating, probably most among all the positions.

[@derekhageman8537]

Resolution to the problem is to have a veteran rb contract system where its highly incentive based off of perfomance and year to year deals, that way they can be fairly compensated and teams can move on without major dead cap hits; that way the most productive backs will get paid

[@carlfrye1566]

The NFLPA negotiates, they have to figure that out and get the players to agree. The owners just agree to a team cap#, the details get washed out in individual contracts.

[@nadjasunflower1387]

oh...so you mean the franchise tag. cause that's exactly what you just described. which no player likes, because there's no security or future in it.

[@tyeash7822]

Why single out running backs

[@carlfrye1566]

@@nadjasunflower1387 The NFLPA negotiated the system that is in place, they agreed to franchise tags, so the players should be upset at them. Years ago RB's got the big $$ but the lineman who blocked for them got the peanuts, now the lineman who block for them get the big $$ and Barkley can still get $10 million worth of peanuts......Tough life.

[@carlfrye1566]

The NFLPA can suggest/negotiate that in the next CBA.

[@stephencifuentes5907]

It's not just about the money. These rb's put their body's through alot and get hit more then any other position, they also could get hurt on any play. So for them they work their whole life for that max out contract that is very much deserved in my opinion.

[@adamlauer1096]

That such a catch 22 bc that's why they don't get paid. It's really sad, but there's not much to do except maybe get ride of the franchise tag

[@zymbotictoot]

10.9 mil a year ain't too shabby IMO. I know it's not the insane $$ that say a QB, Edge, LT money but these guys are still making bank.

[@erickbenavidez9621]

It's not worth what some of the elite level talent at that position produce.

[@DC4L1991]

Taxes….

[@kevinrodriguez9678]

i see absolutely no reason why rookie RBs shouldn't be paid w higher incentives built into their rookie contracts. same incentives, but higher payouts since the likelihood that they stick around is much lower. higher cost up front, but the value btw them & WR or Qb is balanced out

[@outsideMax]

NFL wanted high scoring arena football league style games. They created the problem we have today at RB.

[@footclann0043]

Which is sad. There's more to football than just the passing game

[@ZynxMods]

It’s progressing. Imagine what it’s gonna look like in 20 years and so on.

[@noahpederson4734]

No,the problem is rbs are very replaceable and the product of their o-line, a realization the league would have come to whether they favored passing or not

[@Zach845]

Mike this is one of your best videos. The detail and various perspectives you bring are sick. Tons of research I’d imagine. The fact you can make these so timely is crazy impressive.

[@ShyIsfried]

Ur 🥩 riding

[@t-god2439]

The odd couple and other pure football channels have info on this as well

[@UltraMicroBudget]

Drafting a RB in the first round only gives you 5 seasons if you don't make him the highest paid RB in the league after 3 seasons. Looking at you Jerry 👀

[@Eric_Casteel]

RB just aren't as important as they once were. Teams are looking to build WR's more than they are RB. The game just changes as it grows and we are in one of those transitions. All of these players are so grossly over paid that its crazy. Thats why it cost hundreds of dollars for crap seats now days.

[@andrewketcham7450]

Well I wouldn’t say every team wants to pass the ball more than run it a good example is the titans Derrick Henry is their offense

[@yiehnewtamiru7324]

@@andrewketcham7450what has that done for there team success? Let’s face it a QB and defense is what it takes to win

[@erickbenavidez9621]

@@yiehnewtamiru7324 they'd be a poverty franchise without henry, that's what it's done for their success

[@yiehnewtamiru7324]

@@erickbenavidez9621 or they would have a high pic for player that will elevate them. They been the same team for years good enough to make playoffs but not good enough to win a ship

[@andrewketcham7450]

@@yiehnewtamiru7324 I know I’m just giving a example of one team that relies on their run game. Also, you can have a amazing defense and a ok offense and you would still have a good chance at making the superbowl

[@doustau2170]

It's simple how to fix this: Tight ends in the past were primarily used for blocking for the run game, but now more offenses are switching to a passing-style offense, which "forced" tight ends to help in the receiving game. it worked. RBs now need to not only emphasize more on the receiving game, but also on staying healthy. The main reason why RBs are so easily drafted and dumped 5 years later is because of how easily replaceable they are. It's easy to find a guy who can rush for 1000 yards in a season. BUT, it's not easy to find a guy who can rush for 1000 yards in a season, AND receive for ~500 yards a season CONSISTENTLY. if RBs learn how to value themselves and stay healthier, while bringing something of more value to teams, they get paid. obviously, it's easier said than done tho.

[@Chewy_GarageBandDad]

only 16 out of over 60 running backs with playing time broke 1000 yards. WTH do you mean its easy to find a guy who can rush for 1000 yrds?

[@frankmartinez23]

To fix the problem… The NFL should treat the RB position differently than any other position such as this: The running back position should only count for 50% of the salary cap; that way, running backs can get paid, and teams are incentivized to spend more for quality backs.

[@Stan_Darsh]

I was just thinking about a fix like this. It makes sense.

[@schilling2438]

Nah, keep the it as it is. Teams need something to work around ans just handing out money to one position that doesn't mean anything against the team is a ridiculous thing bc then you have one position you can just spend whatever while every other position goes 100% against the cap? Thats a participaton trophy way out

[@ShyIsfried]

You must not watch the NBA or flightmike

[@cediB01]

They will just line up their receivers as Halvebacks and get them for halve the cap

[@cjjohnson3827]

Soon the running back position will be position less. It’s just gonna be a bunch of Swiss Army knife running backs and that’s how they will get their value. They will be glorified wide receivers.

[@JayByrd83]

@8:18 that's exactly what I have been saying. Lower the amount of years of a RBs contract. 3-year with a 4th year option for 1st round RB, and 2-years with a 3rd-year option for 2nd round and later draft picks.

[@84unisol]

Then teams will wait til later rounds to draft, it'll be the same issue again they may get 3 years 12 mil which is basically what they already get. It probably has to be a more comprehensive like you can't franchise tag a RB and the minimum pay is 2 mill maybe per year for a RB unless he's drafted in the first round where its 3 million.

[@UnkownSoldier100]

@@84unisolWhy would they do that? RBs can “demand” whatever but the market value simply isn’t there. Teams will likely find decent scratch players if starters strike and still be ok. There’s no leverage.

[@devontegilliam9211]

So, the issue I have with this video is that it doesn't highlight what a RB is actually required to do. A RB has to run the ball because that's what they do, but they also have to pass protect like a lineman and catch like a WR. In today's NFL, what you did not highlight, is how a star RB like Jacobs is asked to do a lot. He played through so many injuries and missed very few games. And at the age of 25, with modern medicine and the facility, the Raiders have for strength and conditioning, JJ should get paid. I don't know enough about Barkley to speak on his situation, but Jacobs earned his money. RBs have the most demanding job and yet are dismissed like trash. The NFL should be ashamed, and players should strike. If they earned it, pay them!! Period!!

[@felixbarbeau7166]

What about a limit of carries or yards gain for a running back rookie contract ? Over 500 carries or 2500 yards, the player can sign a new contract. That way a Team won't be able to run to the ground a player like Jacobs or Murray. Thanks for the content Mike !

[@grinningchicken]

I like that idea after a certain amount of yds or touches a player can renegotiate. Or let RB renegotiate after 2-3 years because they can only play 6-8 years most of the time anyway. The rookie deal is essentially the only deal they are getting unless that changes

[@A_corofcb]

I blame zeke for all this. After his contract and him not playing upto it what led to this. He single handedly destroyed the RB market

[@HH-le1vi]

It was going downhill before that. Think LeVeon Bell

[@MainCargo]

And don't forget Todd Gurley

[@HH-le1vi]

@@MainCargo Todd Gurley was a different story. Idk if they knew he had arthritis when they extended him

[@raymac5235]

I have ZERO respect for ANY player that holds out for a new contract. You signed a contract, do your job until it's up. If you get an extension before it ends, that's awesome but not fulfilling your end of the contract is disrespectful and stupid.

[@BKHockeyTalk]

Keep in mind Saquon makes about 10 mil in endorsements annually. The 10.1 franchise tag and the endorsements puts him around 20 mil this season while being the biggest star on the most popular team in the biggest sports city in the country. And he can repeat it next year if he stays healthy… No one can gaslight me into feeling bad for him not getting what he’s due… nor do I wanna hear him say “giants for life” ever again.

[@samuelault4723]

You aren’t a football fan if you don’t want your favourite player to get paid.

[@BKHockeyTalk]

@@samuelault4723 20 mil a year as a RB ain’t getting paid? Sheesh 🙄

[@samuelault4723]

@@BKHockeyTalk it’s really stupid to combine figures like that.

[@BKHockeyTalk]

@@samuelault4723why? His bank account doesn’t notice where the checks come from. His salary from his football and likeability is 20 mil a year. He’s a star, he’s not ur average RB that has to solely rely on his NFL salary.

[@introvertedextrovertedtraver]

You sound like Jerry Jones. Players and their agents not counting off the field money, independent from the team. The player and teams are going back and forth over guaranteed money, signing bonus and incentives, not what their annual contract is. Try telling a QB to take less because sponsorships will offset it, and you’ll be laughed at. Barkley is in New York, out of his “20” mil he’d only see half due to taxes, that’s why players try to maximize money, they are in a high tax bracket

[@Kyle-so6yk]

RBs generally have a short shelf life. They get tackled for a living, it makes sense for GMs to take fresh legs in the draft for a fraction of the cost

[@danconant6401]

@Kyle-so6yk 😂 Not if your a running back ....

[@frankdudleyjr6003]

Here is the problem with what you said here dont you think if they take some of the most contact hurt their body the most shouldn't they make more money? Will never be QB money but if they got a shorter shelf life they should be signed to more money or like it was proposed shorter contracts so they have a chance to make the big money

[@MrHarlteen]

Fresh legs with no proven production? Makes no sense what so ever!

[@andrewketcham7450]

@@frankdudleyjr6003 Yes that does make sense

[@mrdeebo313]

​@@frankdudleyjr6003why would a team do that though? It's just a fact of today's game that you don't need a stud running back to win it all. As good as Jacobs and Barkley were last season they couldn't take them to the Superbowl. QB, LT, and edge rusher, those are the people who win you championships.

[@janberg3232]

The thing, if you want to make special examptions for a running back in the CBA, any other group that feels undervalued can make the same claim. How many lineman, special teamers or players in the secondary would like some extra protectionism from the union.

[@coryda1483]

Bruh what? No other position is dealing with this. Linemen get paid, Dbs get paid, and special teams guys have never been bank breakers. There is no point of any other position to make this claim or else they'd already be making it. Also no one is at injury risk more than running backs. They use they're physical prowess to go against guys way bigger than them.

[@AtlasAdvice254]

I feel like the biggest issue that needs to be addressed is how much teams abuse the franchise tag. They tried to franchise tag devante adams and he said nah 😂

[@hovardlee]

Paying big contract to any RB is not rational. In most cases RB plays are dependent from OC creativity and OL blocking skills. It is better to pay 10-12 M to a good OL than to RB. Also you can get a solid RB in 3rd / 4th round of draft so it is better strategy. More, this is really injury prone position because of colisions with big DL. So, if you pay huge / big money to RB means you are loosing your chances and franchise tag is best option in such cases. Also if you want to pay RB as GM it is better to pay another WR. Running era is over. Now is passing era. Bell refused a contract extension and tag with Steelers and did not earn the money he was offered. It is all about supply / demand, asset management and game evolution. Salary cap is your limit.

[@kevinm.8682]

Nowadays, it's a huge mistake to pay big money to an RB. Teams can pretty much count on getting first-rate talent out of college every year. QB, WR1 and TE Are far more specialized and should be prioritized for big money contracts

[@-PURPLE-HEAD]

Rookie RBs need to start holding out for bigger paydays while in their prime

[@samuelnash7508]

It could come to a point where the running back position is lost to QB rushing ability and wide receivers lining up in the back field.

[@calvinwood7120]

I think rbs should be able to get paid based on their stats from their rookie year as “bonus” money that wouldn’t go against the salary cap. You hinder your team buy investing more cap space in a declining asset. Maybe this is a good balance of compensating rbs for the wear and tear that 200+ carries takes. Potential example -Rookie rb cap may be $1 mil first 4 years -Resigns an extension that has a $5 mil cap hit for 3 seasons -Bonus payout for rbs could be 500k per 100 yards If you take away the competitive edge to not paying running backs I think owners will have no problem paying guys 15-20 million who are really productive if the cap number doesn’t hurt their team. Also would keep some guys who aren’t at the same level when they signed their extension from getting released

[@roris5882]

The Browns giving Nick Chubb (aka Old Faithful) a long term deal was a no-brainer because he's been one of the most reliable and consistent RBs since being in the NFL. He doesn't have an injury history and he's averaged about 5+ yards a carry since being in the league. Saquon is a good RB, when he's healthy but he has a history of multiple serious injuries. It would be smarter to give Saquon an incentivised contract because he has a good chance of getting injured again sometime during his contract.

[@amofo7281]

I've got a few things to say. 1st off. Pay 1st rd RBs a rookie contract for 3 yrs, then move on. 2nd rd 2 yrs and 3rd or later 1 yr contracts. 2nd off. RBs value will not go away anytime soon. Regardless of rushing yards or touchdowns, a RB who can convert a 3rd down on 3rd and short is invaluable. There will always be a place for those RBs who can do that job. Summary. Money wise if they can reduce the rookie scale contract it might make some difference maker RBs happy and provide more opportunities for younger RBs to get a foothold in the NFL. Lastly 100% agree RBs need to focus more on being a dual threat but you cannot replace a 3rd down RB who will give you that Marshawn lynch esch advantage.

[@epmike123]

This is not a problem, this is the market. Derrick Henry - 45th pick, Nick Chubb - 35th pick, Miles Sanders - 53rd pick, Dalvin Cook - 41st pick, Aaron Jones - 182nd pick, Tony Pollard - 128th pick. Given how injury prone the position is, the change in the league from run to pass and the ability to get Day 1 starters in the 2nd round or later, you would be dumb to allocate $15 million a year to this position. You are better off drafting a running back in the 2nd through the 4th rounds every other year.

[@Ocean5ix]

I don't think there's a solution. Teams are realizing that the guy running the ball is less important than the guys blocking. Almost every 1 or 2 seasons you see a great RB from previous seasons disappearing from the earth and a undrafted/low draft pick or free agent having a beast of a season. I mean you can force less years of the first contract and prevent teams from tagging them, but that's a band aid, the value of the position itself ain't going up. It's like the design/video editing business, you can be great at it but any kid nowadays can watch a tutorial on youtube, make a decent job and accept less money to get the job you spent a few years getting a degree for. It's not about how good you are, it's about how the client perceives the cheaper work "good enough". Also, last but not least, you can't win with a team focused on the RB position anymore, and it has been like this for almost 2 decades now. Don't get me wrong, amazing RBs wins games here and there, but if you're a team like the Titans, that rely 80% on your RB production, you ain't winning the SB. If the star of your team is your RB instead of your QB, you're likely falling early in the playoffs and putting yourself out of a good draft spot.

[@israteeg752]

It's a simple matter of economics : if the skimp the RB trend continues kids will not be willing to play the position and either specialize as LB\safety , or play WR and TE who will be willing to run occasionally. So soon enough the RB will become obsolete in the same manner as did FB.

[@DC4L1991]

All these people who say “running backs are replaceable” gonna be the same ones making excuses if their teams don’t succeed if their starting running back decides to sit out…🤦🏾‍♂️ They need to pay these dudes.

[@Sanb215]

No Teams want to pay a RB anymore

[@King_hancock]

The titans does

[@asdf-fl1ib]

Marshawn Lynch "was" essential to the Seahawks 2013-14 Superbowl run. Obviously they also had an excellent defence- Legion of Boom. If GMs want to play analytics then yes you don't need an overpaid Running back, but generally you need a Franchise QB.

[@Lucky2s_85]

I personally think it will get to a point where the RB position will be canceled out by the WR position. Since Deebo and others have brought it to the leagues attention, its almost as popular as fast running QBs. Line your fastest WR up in the backfield as a Wideback. No need for the RB position on the depth chart. 🤷‍♂️ Either way, Lets go, SF! ❤️💛

[@MadderEmo]

You’re saying this but your team gets extremely hurt without the efforts of people like Raheem mostert and Christian Mccaffrey in recent years lol

[@zaymoney252]

Name a top 20 running back in the nfl right now with a Super Bowl ring? Name a top 5 running back that has won a Super Bowl in the last 20 years? 22 Chiefs- led by a 7th round rookie 21 Rams- totaled 43 rushing yards between 4 low-investment RBs 20 Bucs- led by a FA RB 19 Chiefs- led by undrafted RB 18 Pats- Sony Michel. He's terrible, but he played well so I'll give you that 17 Eagles- FA Legarret Blount 16 Patriots- FA Legarret Blount 15 Broncos- undrafted CJ Anderson It's nice to have a good RB. But from a business perspective with cap space, there's absolutely no reason to invest heavily in one

[@michaelmartin4230]

If I’m a young football player I’m looking to stay from the RB position most RB can definitely play a different position especially if your young

[@tommysixrings6026]

I wish I made "only" 7 or 8 million a year for playing a game.

[@HH-le1vi]

Tell me how much you want to get hit by a 300lb man running 15-20mph,250x a year.

[@Noumenon4Idolatry]

Start working out. Hit the gym. Compete for it and you won’t need to make wishes. All you need to do is be the best.

[@tommysixrings6026]

@@HH-le1vi lol these guys make about 20 mill with their first contract. if you have a brain in your head that sets you for life. They know what they signed up for.

[@lordchaa1598]

If the Raiders don’t pay Jacobs, that will be the final nail in my fandoms coffin. The coaching staff is a joke and are attempting to revamp an already figured out Belichick offense. They’re basically trying to become the Patriots of old, without the QB, which we had with Carr.

[@King_hancock]

Just become a titans fan we would always run the ball with the king. They are in complete rebuild mode, i have them winning less then 5 games

[@fuzzy5631]

running backs started being de valued because quarter backs are to overly protected by refs while dropping back to pass, old school defenses punished quarterbacks so bad they wanted to hand the ball off to running backs and not attempt to throw.

[@Josh_Stringer]

Correction: Running Backs have a huge problem. The RB position has an abundance of talented players. There are a few elite guys, but for the most part, offenses are built on an RB rotation of guys are very close in talent. The talent gap isn't that far from top to bottom. So, why pay them crazy money? QB's are different. Yes, there are also elite guys playing QB, but the talent gap from tier 2 and tier 3 and 4 is huge. Teams are forced to settle for tier 2-3 guys like Jones, because the drop off behind him is massive.

[@gilbertgonzalez2263]

As a giant fan it kills me he aint get the contract he deserves, big respect for saquan, pollard & jacobs fighting for better contracts, they deserve every penny. they run through walls & take the most damage out of the whole team

[@jameshollister8294]

That's why they don't pay too many hits

[@JayByrd83]

​@jameshollister8294 it isn't their fault that they play such a physical position, and the QB's can't get touched anymore. Not to mention the QB gets the benefits of the PI spot penalty and they can't get hit in the legs or head. It's such a biased league. If they get rid of the RB position, they may as well fuse with the CFL. I'm done with the NFL, if that happens.

[@andrewketcham7450]

@@JayByrd83 yeah I do agree like it’s ridiculous that they a penalty when a defender is running full speed and hits the quarterback seconds after he threw the ball because no one can go from full speed to a full on stop in a short distance

[@TTSCAM]

He not worth 14 million a year but Daniel Jones is worth 40 a year gtfo get real

[@TheScotian82]

​@@TTSCAMBarry Sanders never got the Lions anywhere near a ring. in fact shy of walter payton, bettis (both had all time Ds) and terrell davis..runningbacks dont yield rings.

[@respectdawildo_danjones508]

As a Giants fan, I hear a lot of other fans “praise Barkley” and then condemn him for not signing the tender and doing both doesn’t make sense… if you think he knocked it out the park you must acknowledge he is being shortchanged, it’s that simple, I’m skeptical of any deal, but i understand 100% why he would hold out they spent a lot of money on other positions that may have not been the best choice I understand why he wouldn’t sign and don’t blame him

[@nickcastell1425]

As a Giants fan it hurts to see Saquon not get a contract, but if you look at the facts it makes sense why the front office won't take a huge gamble on him. Yes Saquon is a remarkable RB, top 5 in the whole league, but when you consider age and injury history, along with most backs slowing down around Saquons age, they shouldn't make a hasty decision that would come back and bite them. Keep in mind next year we gotta resign Andrew Thomas, Adoree Jackson and possibly Xavier McKinney if he goes nuts this year. Tough decision but overall right decision by the front office

[@gator6997]

yea I agree. I love Saquon and hes fun to watch but you cant invest big money into a disposable position especially when the teams that are winning superbowls are paying rbs peanuts. gotta use that money to resign more important players

[@captainstubbing1]

Depends what he's asking for man.. can't just take one side without knowing I saw some predictions* they should pay of so

[@gator6997]

@@captainstubbing1 rumor is he wants CMac range money...

[@captainstubbing1]

@@gator6997 I don't think anyback is getting that but I saw different figures. Def is a problem in NFL

[@gator6997]

@@captainstubbing1 is it really a problem for the nfl? Just cuz this group of guys want to hold out doesn’t mean other guys will. Teams are proving you don’t need S tier rb talent to win. These top tier running backs aren’t winning super bowls

[@King_hancock]

As a titans fan i understand how important the run game is but it is so stupid that the best player on your team. ( saquon and josh) are not getting paid. but teams pay their qb tens of millions of dollars.

[@MeechG]

Pay Daniel Jones 40 mil a year but cant give Saquon 15-20mil a year.

[@King_hancock]

@@MeechG in what world does that makes sense

[@kanyewests6676]

The real source of this problem is the NFL taking advantage of young players who produces. Imagine playing like a star in your 3rd NFL season. You break out :) In your 4th season. Week 1. You blow your knee out. All you peers who also broke out will get paid big$ but not you. No one wants to chance it. Evem though you had a star season you'll never get paid for it. This happens to much. You cant control supply and demand. No one wants to pay a rb 10 mill.

[@Pocket_Fox]

28 is the new 30 for RBs. Their peak productivity comes during their rookie contract, which is 5 years if they are a 1st round pick. 6 years if they get tagged. Saquon Barkley will be 28 after this next season. Not worth a second contract. Just draft his replacement. RBs need SHORTER ROOKIE CONTRACTS so they can get to their second contract at a younger age. First, eliminate the 5th year option for RBs. That's the easiest move. Then, maybe give them the choice at signing to sign for 3 years instead of 4.

[@robbiekeller1353]

Well, I can think of a lot of easy ways to fix this, the problem is the nflpa would have to do something for the running backs, which would go against their current strategy of having the half backs break their bodies before they get paid so the qbs can get their money!

[@danielvasquez3758]

Birthday today!! Thanks Mike for the new content!!

[@kemjohn2595]

Happy bday 🎊 🎉bro

[@TheHenchmen69]

Happy birthday my G 🫡

[@etmmlopez]

I dont think RBs cross training is a solution either. For the past 5-6 years, being able to catch the ball out of the backfield has been almost essential for a RB coming out of college. Additionally, Austin Ekeler was on of the leading receivers for the chargers last season and he can barely get a competitive extension. Maybe the league by default increases the RB tag based on a percentage of the WR tag (QB would just be unrealistic), while also decreasing the max length down to 4 instead of 5. This solution brings a whole new set of issues though. This is definitely not good for RBs.

[@UnkownSoldier100]

The issue is no one would tag them then and teams would likely only sign them for less than what the current RB tag would be. RBs just aren’t that valuable from an availability standpoint, can always find at least ok ones in late draft rounds and undrafted. It’s why Dalvin Cook is likely done at 28, makes more sense to go with a cheap rookie + whatever depth was already on the roster.

[@micahkiyimba8641]

I have a solution. RB rookie deals needs to be negotiated by the player's agent...and not set by normal NFL rules. It's clear that the RB is a special position where the player hits their prime on a rookie deal so if they are subject to normal rookie deals, they are being underpaid in their prime..unlike ALL other positions where players hit their prime later on and have a chance to negotiate insane paydays. By the time RBs are off their rookie deal...they are usually past their prime already and won't get a good deal. The solution is the the NFL should exclude RBs from the draft and let them be UDFAs that negotiate terms as rookies. That way, they get paid in a way proportional to their production.

[@DirtyMoney1971]

I’f teams don’t want to pay RB’s, do what NE does, get two or three RB’s that have been injured and not signed , sign them to lucrative 2 year contracts with lots of player incentives, i.e., amount of rushing yards, total games played, election to the pro bowl, etc.! The RB’s should inject a clause that if they reach three out of five incentives for the both years, then they have a 3rd year option for a certain amount of money, and make it where the teams cannot cut them without suffering certain major penalties, which will equal a major pay day for the RB’s! Don’t feel bad RB’s because the NBA is basically becoming like NFL contracts, not guaranteed! Look at the NBA contracts model right now, and imitate it in the NFL right now! It will stabilize the contract situations for all RB’s right now! You must all get together right now, in order to stop this BS! If not, Player’s Association, needs to step in as soon as possible! The next CBA, should tax all the owners! And they better not complain!

[@tomhollingsworth8201]

There is a salary cap. You pay 20% to one guy (QB) then several other position guys will get underpaid. Who cares about everyone gettin the “bag” ultimately that money comes from the fans. I’m sick of hearing players bitch about pay. Performance based pay solves all the pay issues. Stop giving huge contracts with big up front money.

[@1retdGI]

American football is the greatest sport in the world and there's nothing better to watch on the field than a Running Back in a "Zone". The Steelers used to get the ball back leading by about 3 w/ about 12 min left in the 4th & their running game would take it to the 2 min warning then score. What a thing of beauty that was and for those with a good running game; it STILL is.

[@jasonrogers2467]

Why pay a RB when most QB's scramble for half their snaps? QB options ruined running backs. Why hand to the RB when I can scramble for the same yards or more untouched on a good fake? Based on the franchise tag, teams can cut 10 mil with no running back off their cap, have a WR stand in the back field on option plays, have the QB scramble. Then allocate that money to the QB or WR or OL. Hell even allocate 10mil towards the defense. The teams take RB's for granted but business is business i guess. RB's will probably be gone soon like full backs. not many teams use those anymore either.

[@chipchaser44]

If I had a son and he was getting recruited to play RB at a D1 school. I would tell him nope. Go he a WR, TE, LT, edge rusher, CB. Just about any position other than RB. There is no future playing RB in the NFL. If the NFL continues to devalue RB's I can see the position going away. Kids just won't want to play it.

[@jessem7556]

NYG Barkley missed 2 SEASONS !! Wow !! Would you pay someone to get hurt and miss seasons? Not worth it.

[@TkTk-be5qg]

Great job Raiders the NFL needs more of this, this is why middle class families cannot attend football games because of these prices concessions ticket prices, they outprice themselves. It's a matter of time declining seats, It will happen in time.

[@AndrewEvenstar]

love Jacobs . my 2nd fav player on the team . however I'm fine with us not over paying for him. nfl should have a special type of contracts for Rbs. have it performance based and it affect the cap differently . Idk I'm not an expert on that part

[@RsChrisG]

To be fair, Nick Chubb might be the only RB in the NFL worth 10m+ a year. Dudes so good, and he is better than Henry.

[@travishalvorson6377]

The NFL Makes 20 billion a year. The NBA makes 10 billion a year. The NFL could pay all 1696 players $12 million a year with that. Most make a league minimum of $660,000. The NFL can pay these running backs much more. I think ownership needs to be removed and given to the players. No one should own these athletes! Granted, the team owners should be bought out at an appropriate price, but pay these guys and do away with ownership!

[@mattheaton4653]

The fullbacks are about to make a huge comeback!!!!

[@Max_Krypto]

As a Chiefs fan I think we are done with FB forever but I'll never forget many years ago having Tony Richardson and Priest Holmes. It's what made me a Chiefs fan

[@Jman531]

FYI, the Cowboys didnt persue Pollard to hard because they want to see if he still has it after breaking his leg in the playoff loss. They also learned with Elliott, dont give a multi year deal to a RB after 4 seasons. As for how the leg will affect him or not, remember Dez Bryant broke his foot in 20q5 and was never the same player after that. So paying 10.1 million is cheaper than giving him a long term contract and he loses the burst that makes him so great. The Cowboys would be in same situation they just got out of with Elliott. Im not saying Tony wont be the same back as the last 4 seasons, im saying the Cowboys are making the smart move not to give him a long term contract until they know forsure that he can still produce at a high level.

[@zimman20]

As a Raiders fan I love me some Josh Jacobs. That said - I find it interesting that he managed to have a career year (and by a pretty wide margin) in what was essentially for him a contract year. Always suspicious to me. Then once they get paid they go back to being what they were. See: Darren Waller....got paid and his motivation was seemingly gone. The list goes on and on.... We'd love to keep JJ but he has a value associated with the position and what he brings to the team in terms of $$ and $10M is nothing to sneeze at. If he holds out it's gonna hurt him, IMO....hate to say it but it might be time to see what trade value he holds if he's not gonna be on the field for the team.

[@straighttalkwithkyle7947]

Running backs and quarterbacks both need to be off the salary cap. Qb's need a range they can get paid and that should be determined by arbitration and collective bargaining. Running backs shouldn't have restrictions on what years they can negotiate. If neither ones salary effects the rest of the roster building things get a lot better. You get rewarded for drafting a good quarterback without being crippled once they get their first contract and running backs can negotiate earlier so that late round pick doesn't break their body for 4 years only to not be offered an extension.

[@icycoolpikpik5185]

This just goes to show how much the value of running backs has depleted

[@Jordan.T.Lindholm]

The only way the RB market is going to become one of the top paid positions in the NFL agian is if the next generation of RB's build the skills required to become triple threat players. (RB's that can run down hill batween the tackles, while still having 4.4- 4.5 break away speed, effectively chip block DE's, DT's and LB's in blitz pickups and (The most difficult part) be able to line up in the "Z" (flanker) reciever position and the "Y" receiver position. This skill set will allow OC's to call plays that have pre snap motion routes tiping the defensive coverage to the QB pre snap also it allows run sweeps and creates open space receptions when the RB is covered by LB's in the flats forcing the safety to move to a more shallow coverage to help the LB leading to 1 on 1 coverage on deep routes for the "X" receiver while in the "Z" position. Being capable of lining up in the "Y" position gives an additional blocker in blitz or provides the QB an additional option as a 3rd read and a shorter route against LB's and Safety's (similar to a TE) also placing an additional larger RB in the backfield while the #1 RB is in the "Z" or "Y" position puts the LB and safety in a no win situation (If safety comes down to support the run the #1 receiver (the #1 HB) runs a seam route over the top. If the safety stays deep and the LB come up to stop the run then the QB has a easy short pass to the #1 HB for a quick 4-8 yards, if the safety and LB stay back in coverage then that big #2 HB in the backfield can just run a delayed HB draw batween the tackles against a 5 or 6 man box. The only thing the DC can do is use the DE to cover the HB shallow in the Z or Y position while the LB blitzes to stop the run and the safety stays up to stop the pass and even then the QB can audable to a counter run by the #2 HB to the side where the DE dropped back from giving the a 4+ yard run 85% of the time. ) These skills create a match up nightmare for Defenses and Defensive coordinators aswell as allow the offense and OC to run multiple plays out of the same formation that look nearly identical to eachother also it prevents the DC from making coverage audibles based on the offensive personnel or formation on the field. With this ability only the most disciplined defenses and savy DC's would even stand a chance and even then the best scenario is a bend dont break mentality letting the offense get atleast 3-6 yards on almost every run or pass each play hoping to capitalize on a mistake or offensive penalty to create a 3rd and long allowing the defense to not worry about the run, while being disciplined enough to not drift or cheat in coverage thinking you know whats coming. The closest the NFL has to this is Mccaffrey. In my opinion a player with these skill sets can allow a OC to build an offense around them, even in today's NFL. The offense only needs a system QB like Cooper Rush. With a salary cap hit of 3 or 4 million. You have an extra 30+ million a year in cap space to build a top 3 defense and atleast a top 10 O line. Im sure my theory would not work in reality but I really wish a bottom 5 team would give it a go (not like it can get any worse lol) and actually give it time to see the results (about 3-4 seasons). I think in 3-4 seasons (2 of them getting top 5 draft picks) would allow you to trade back in the draft to teams that want to draft a top college QB. This move would give the team (GM) multiple 1st 2nd and 3rd round selections in future draft over the following 3 seasons. If the GM uses the draft and makes solid selections (no busts in their 1st-3rd round picks) in 3 years they should have gotten 2 all pro players and around 4-6 additional 1st string players with rookie pay scales. This would allow you to use the extra 35 million from your QB as well as another 30 million in rookie pay scale savings to afford 6-10 top tier free agents to fill the gaps in your roster. This would allow atleast a 2 year superbowl window and with good salary cap management and a few contracts with dead years built in to spend out the cap hit you could realistically push that window another 2 or 3 years. Now I know my example is extreme (especially the QB portion) but I think this type of system is why the 49er have been successful over the last 4 years. Now I know yall are gonna say I'm an idiot but, look at the roster besides the Tre Lance pick (which actually only proves my point, as with those picks they gave up to get him they could of had 1 or 2 more peices that could have put them over the top to win a superbowl) QB is Mr Irrelevant and a serviceable system QB in Garoppalo. Defense #1 in points allowed last year. Top tier TE in Kittle, WR/HB in deebo Samuel with 4.4 speed giving the ability to call sweeps as well as play in the back field as HB or as receiver in the Y and Z spot for down field passes or runs to the perimeter. McCaffery as the true HB with the ability to catch in the flats and down field and an extra blocker when needed. Brandon Aiyuk (1,000 yrd reciever with 4.4-4.5 40 yrd dash) to help push the opposing secondary down field. Their team is set up to do exactly what my theory is. The only difference is they use McCaffery, Kittle and Deebo to to create or replicate what I think the HB of the future will be like. If you had 1 player with all those skill sets in one person HB or not teams would be willing to pay 15+ million a year for that.

[@IndianapolisColtsfan-AR5]

This is why there needs to be a cap on how much these players can get paid because too many players want tons and tons of money and therefore a team cannot sign all their top players for that reason. Too many players. See another player. Get paid lots of money and then they expect more money when their contract is up. Greed is the name of the game and money talks and it is ruining the game of football. To me. The players get paid way too much money just to play a game. It is ridiculous.

[@kimsonjoseph1784]

They literally giving the rb's salaries to the qb& still run the ball a lot. New rookie contracts for RB's or they should not show up.

[@Mike__B]

The NFL does have a huge problem, but it's not the RB pay scale, it's the pay scale of everyone else. What was it 5 or 6 years ago Jimmy G was made the highest paid QB to every play, for all of about 2 or 3 weeks, at 27.5 MILLION (average) per year, and a unheard of nearly 50 million in guarantees and that was with only a 5 game audition which while yes the team won all 5 of those most of that was not due to him. Fast forward 4 years, wide receivers are asking for that kind of money, most QBs guarantees are worth more than Jimmy's whole 5 year contract, and guys like Daniel Jones who got 3200 passing yards and threw for a mind blowing 15 TDs are getting 40 million a year. You want that top tier WR? you can't afford a top tier RB, you want that mediocre QB that's just good enough to barely have a winning record? Well you probably can't afford that top tier RB either. Now can you blame teams for the game they play? get 5 years and dump them because they may only have 2 years left? Why should they pay for a huge extension that will leave them high and dry. I mean Zeke hasn't done too much in the last 3 years, he's been good but he's not been "reset the market good". Running backs of all skill levels just need to accept it for what it is, maybe they should demand to not be a bell cow and have a RB by committee, that way a little tread is left on their tires and instead of 2 extra years they get an extra 4 or 5. Maybe if RBs didn't demand guaranteed money they'd actually make higher top end dollar, I mean Zeke made high end money, and hell over the his 7 year career (maybe more if he still plays) he averaged 10 million per year which ain't anything to sneeze at. But Zeke's last 3 years do not in any way match up to his first 4 as far as production and his cap hit was just going to go higher and higher. And you can always campaign for the player, but at the end of the day us fans care more about the team as a whole, and the Cowboys are probably a better team not having a good but not 18M against the cap good type of RB.

[@michaelsemail5398]

Makes a ton of sense to adjust rookie contract length to the position. There are QBs playing well into their 40's!! RBs are lucky if they still have a job at 30 :(

[@cedaanders2764]

Why is Percy Harvin listed as the leading rusher for 2013? He's a wide receiver and only has 927 rushing yards for his career. No rushing yards that season and on 54 yards in the post season. Beast mode was their RB that year

[@xavierbowen607]

At this point as a running back you should know of the NFL problem and try to fix it, if you can make guys look silly buy juking and spinning then learn how to catch, if you run over guys be able to cook them with speed too. If you don't have the speed no NFL team is going to want you but I disagree NFL teams SHOULD value there running backs because if you don't you will have only your quarterback running for 50 yards a game and the running game will be gone forever

[@CorruptedErtai]

The resolution is extremely simple. Stop playing. It's one thing to SAY the words "I don't get paid enough to do this", but until you stop doing the job and actually demand more money then all you're doing is complaining. RBs are just like every other position. Their value is what the market says it is. If you don't agree with the market, sit down. That's all you have in the current CBA. There are many many players in the league who make the minimum and these guys are gonna make 10x that. Either take the money and play or go home. Someone else will do your job for you.

[@MikeCe]

One possible solution: allow for arbitration of the value of the franchise tag per position. If the franchise tag for running backs was $20M or even just $15M then it's likely we would see deals being made in the $13M to $11M -- with significant guarantees -- rather than hold-outs. I don't like the idea of making a change to the CBA for a position per se because, as pointed out in the video, these things evolve. Maybe arbitration for individual players when they certain measurable achievements (Pro Bowl, league leader in rushing yards) though that can be gamed by the team to disqualify them. Maybe offer performance bonuses (hitting 15+ touchdowns rushing, exceeding 1,000 yards in a season) that don't affect the salary cap?

[@VtViper77]

A fair contract with good but hard to achieve incentives. They should in my opinion get paid decently!

[@johnathanbragg3870]

Hair is looking good. Glad you’re doing better.

[@shadowsniper9542]

Honestly? The NFL is at least partially to blame for the situation. There used to be more restrictions of offensive scheming and more options for defensive backs to disrupt the passing game. With passing being more of a gamble, the consistency of a strong ground game was an invaluable piece for a contender. But now that the intrinsically more explosive passing game is just as, if not more consistent, there's no reason for a team to use the ground game as anything but a complimentary piece. And complementary rushing attacks don't need a star RB, only a decent one. And decent RBs are easy to get.

[@TripAces]

The proper counter punch to this is to make Rookie contracts for RB's 3 years instead of 5..... so you hit the market at 23-24 and can have a 5 year window in your 'running prime' until 28-29..... thats is fair enough...

[@PhilP8980]

It sucks for them that theyre not going to get paid what they think theyre worth, but thats why you dont draft a running back in the 1st round. Especially 2nd overall. Any team in the league can get 2 backs to equal the same production for half the pay. Saquon is amazing but fragile. Jacobs was overused last year and most backs start to fall off after a season like that i.e. Shaun Alexander, Ladainian Tomlinson, I can name a lot of them. There are exceptions like Derrick Henry and Emmitt Smith years ago but those are rare cases. The absolute worst thing you can do if youre either one of these guys is pull a Leveon Bell because their market value is only going to get smaller and smaller. Its just football economics.

[@nicholasaus2767]

As an O-lineman I have nothing but love for the RB position. But I'd rather pay JJet then Cook. Or Burrow over Mixon. Over the last 3 years there has been a breakout rookie running back and that's because it's the most plug and play position. But a better O line makes the RB look better. Look at Justin Taylor's difference from the last two years and look at the o line difference. I agree. Put money where it needs to be.

[@furiogiunta7886]

I think TEs and and FBs should be more valuable and get more money, they should make a rule to make that happen too.

[@rickdollings7382]

As a fan, I like having a great running back to pull for vs a group of guys that are just alright.

[@rage508cardsngrails]

Ditto

[@audrisampson]

Probably need to limit the pct of the salary cap a qb can have to free up funds for the other positions.

[@ChrisTyroneDrip]

As a falcons fan I truly believe that Bijan is gonna change the game following in Alvin Kamara’s footsteps. He’s out here working out with Jamar Chase and Tyreek Hill, so I believe Bijan is gonna be the turnaround.

[@gregoryfuller9736]

As saints it doesn’t matter cmc get hurt every year and we all know about karma legal problems which he didn’t have an issue with law before Joe mixon also have issues with the laws

[@SleezyMeta]

If running back are gonna cross training at wide receivers why not just play wide receiver they make more there careers are longer as well. On the flip side the NFL ran the ball 58% of the time last year. Running backs are getting fucked while qbs who throw ints on the one yard line in a super bowl while having a hof RB in the backfield keep making more. Maybe the problem isn't the rb we keep paying mediocre qbs more and more. What Daniel Jones without Barkley a back up QB

[@trev6783]

We don't need any rules.. ok, I can see the NFLPA asking for a pay bump for rookie RB's. But, otherwise you have to let the free market run its course. If future potential RB's don't end up playing or play a different position, it could cause a deficiency in the RB skill pool. Years down the line, teams might start wishing they had the 1 elite RB available and pay him big, which could start a trend. If it doesn't then it is what it is.. Don't become a RB if you want to hit it rich in the NFL.

[@knightofcups4733]

As a Giants fan, not sure if I’d shed a tear if Barkley doesn’t get the extension he wants. RBs take a lot of abuse, which limits their shelf life. Most teams have more than one RB that are talented enough to share the load, as long as they’re productive snaps.

[@dylannovotny8010]

Understandable but let's be real sawuon kinda carried that offense last year

[@knightofcups4733]

@@dylannovotny8010 He was a beast! 10+ million though? The Giants can go with what they have and draft another RB and sign them to 5 years.

[@anthonywarf9353]

Based on that logic why sign any player to a long term deal when they can also be hurt and become ineffective at any moment ? Jacob's has been excellent for the raiders and Barkley lead the team in receptions last year showing he's more then just a runner , neither back tried to reset the market at all and in Saqons case 13 million would have gotten it done reportedly. This trend of devaluing other players to pay others more is very unfortunate for the backs.

[@MeechG]

That's my thing, it's the freaking NFL where every player is a hit away from a career ending injury, being paralyzed or death. In no world should Adam Thielen make more than Jacobs or Barkley

[@ajl9772]

You talk about running backs needing to change the way they play, but would teams actually utilize them that way? When you have a player like Derrick Henry, you want to keep pounding the ball. Contracts just need to be done differently. Do 3 year rookie contracts and not allow franchise tags to the position. Running backs also need to ensure they have clauses they get more more money the more times they are handed the ball so teams have to pay for running them into the ground. It's a passing league now and the demand for running back has diminished. I just think it's better for the league when players hit the market in their prime.