This isn’t your Grandpa or your Dad’s NFL anymore. Once upon a time, the running back position was considered a position of high importance and also of per dollar amount. Back in our parents’ and grandparents’ days, the offenses were simpler and ran at a much slower pace.
In today’s game, everything is speed, speed, speed, and keeping the game going at a fast and steady pace. Each coach in the NFL is trying to outdo the other by calling the most complex and enhanced plays available.
How it all Started
Back then, the main formation teams used was the “I-Pro-I-formation,” where you had the quarterback under center, a fullback in the middle, and a running back in the backfield. You also had a big offensive lineman, the type that the Alabama Crimson Tide uses in college football today.
The most common play out of these run-heavy sets was a simple handoff from the quarterback to the running back when then the running back would run in between the tackles with the goal of picking up ten yards to move the chains.
Today in the NFL, we now turn the page forward to my generation of football, where all of a sudden, the running back position is less valuable, and they don’t necessarily need the big contract extension. Why is that, you might ask?
It’s because of the advanced evolution of the spread offense, where plays are now mostly in the shotgun with either one or two running backs in the backfield next to the quarterback.
There are other plays where teams will now go; five-wide (all-receivers), with no running back in the backfield.
The explanation for this change is that running backs are now being used as a way to catch the ball out of the backfield more like a half-back receiver instead of running the ball up the middle, like traditional running backs used to do for years.
Giants RB Saquon Barkley (26) – Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images
Saquon Barkley
If we were to apply the modern-day scenario of the type of running back Barkley out of Penn State is, we would say he’s your typical spread running back whose job is to either run the ball off draw plays or run into the backfield and catch the ball off of screen passes or half-back slant plays.
Since being drafted number two overall by the New York Giants in 2018, the 6’0″, 234 lb. athlete has had an up-and-down journey from a dominant rookie year to having two seasons in 2020 and 2021 cut short due to injuries.
Luckily, 2022 was a resurgent year for Barkley and for Daniel Jones as well. Last season, he rushed for 1,312 yards averaging 4.4 yards a carry and ten touchdowns.
Head coach Brian Daboll was able to get immediate production out of the star running back and back into the conversation as one of the NFL’s best running backs.
It also put him in a tough predicament as it is now almost near the end of his rookie contract, and it should be time for a big payday. In previous years, the 26-year-old would have probably made an estimate of $100 million dollars over 4-5 years.
That’s great for him, but the problem here is you also now have a salary cap, and when you already spend over $145 million over a long-term contract for your quarterback, you’re most likely not going to have the room to pay Barkley hard core cash.
Therefore, re-signing the hard-driving back would cost the Giants about $23 million if they franchise-tagged him for two more seasons.
Recently, Barkley explicitly called out the Giants organization during an episode on his podcast by saying, “f’- u.” If they get mad, he might sit out the full year.
To that, I say, “Great” running backs are a dime of dozen, and if you want to sit out, we can easily replace you with a Spring football signee. It can either be from the XFL or the USFL and he may just take over your job. Mark Thompson from the Houston Gamblers, anyone?
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (28) – Stephen R Sylvanie/USA TODAY Sports
Josh Jacobs
The 25-year-old running back is expected to be owed roughly $10.1 million by the Las Vegas Raiders should he choose to finally sign his franchise tag.
While the Raiders and Jacob’s agents failed to come to a new long-term deal, the 5’10”, 220 lb. tough back is still in “good terms” with the organization.
He produced better rushing yards than Barkley did last season, with 1,653 yards, 4.9 yards a carry, and 12 touchdowns. In total, Jacobs beat out Barkley in all these major rushing categories.
There have been recent proposals to try and fix this overpaid running back position, and one proposal could change how we select rookie players in a new era of football.
The most over dramatic proposal that could realistically never pass would be to scrap the NFL draft that allows rookies to be part of a free agent class and have a bidding war for them.
To me, that is crazy as I like the excitement of watching the NFL draft on TV, especially because they’ve turned it into a big spectacle party like the Super Bowl pre and post-COVID.
Because of the advanced evolution from the old school, to your dad’s NFL, to the younger generation’s NFL, there should be changes that would resemble old school practices within modern-day NFL practices as well. But for now, Jacobs and Barkley have three options:
1. Sign your franchise tag and be happy you’re still getting paid something over nothing.
2. Earn your long-term deals by continuing to play well and show the organization its winning and production before money.
3. Sit out and risk being replaced by either cheaper NFL free agents or Spring football signees who are coming to take your starting jobs permanently.
So what will it be, guys? Are you going to act like the previous generations acted? Or are you going to toughen it up and wait your turn to get paid? It’s up to you. Remember, running backs are replaceable now in the NFL.
Just look at Zeke Elliot.
