Being a running back in the NFL is the most uninsured skilled position in the NFL. The NFL has turned into more of a passing league within the last 20 years. I remember when teams based their offensive success on players out the backfield a la Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk and others. It use to be no problem for workhorse backs to get paid via by their current team or in free agency. Times have changed as teams no longer covet the position the way they use to.
Looking back at deals for Shaun Alexander, Larry Johnson and Chris Johnson, I feel these deals have changed the market for running backs. All three had great years before and leveraged them to get more money, which I personally don’t mind because the real amount that matters is the guaranteed amount due.
With teams able to replace backs like I change tires once somebody’s contract is due, teams aren’t jumping to give them money. Instead, it seems that teams would rather get a running back in the draft or as an undrafted free agent.
The NFL is a passing league and now a lot of running backs have been marginalized by being specialist. Some teams have their short yardage ‘back, pass catching ‘back, pass protection ‘back and the list can go on for days. What this does to the ‘backs when their contract is due is limit the amount they can demand. The day of the workhorse is dead for the most part there are exceptions when it comes to a person like Adrian Peterson and MarShawn Lynch, but the Vikings normally take AP out during passing situations.
Look at this years crop of free agent backs, Darren McFadden, Maurice Jones-Drew, Ben Tate, Darren Sproles and soon to be released Chris Johnson. Nobody is rushing to give any of these backs big money it’s the way for the world for running backs currently.
PSA for current ‘backs, use your money wisely because the current general managers have no love for you and you’re very expendable.
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