Imagine the factor that affects running back salaries. One of them is the risk of injury! RBs have to endure a lot of physical contact and wear and tear, more prone to getting hurt. Teams are reluctant to invest large amounts of money in players who may not last long on the field. And they are facing a serious problem of inadequate pay.
$143B worthy NFL’s silence on a significant issue saddens RB families, fans, and the football community. Why are running backs not getting paid enough? The answer lies in the changing dynamics of the NFL. The league has shifted its focus to the passing game, which has reduced the importance of running backs, who are now seen as less valuable and replaceable. As a result, their salaries have suffered.
In the hearts of American football families?
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The situation has reached a critical point this year, Josh Jacobs left Las Vegas without signing anything. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, “doesn’t plan to return anytime soon.” Jacobs is the only NFL player designated for the franchise tag without a contract as of July 26, 2023. Other notable free agents still waiting for offers include Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook, making fans mad!
All American football fans & families saw when the top running backs in the league were not given long-term deals by their teams. Jacobs of the Raiders, Tony Pollard of the Cowboys, and Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants were expected to play under the one-year $10.1 million franchise tag salary, and lately, Barkley eventually agreed to a new one-year $11 million contract with the Giants, but the statistics show how unfair the situation is for running backs.
Kicker salaries leave RBs at a loss for words!
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According to Spotrac, the average salary of a kicker in 2023 is $2.26 million, while that of a running back is only $1.81 million, that’s what makes the giant organization speechless. That means even kickers are earning more than running backs on average. Furthermore, while the NFL salary cap has been increasing over the years, the average salary for running backs has actually decreased.
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In contrast, quarterbacks and wide receivers have seen significant increases in their contracts during the same period. This is a clear indication that running backs are not receiving adequate pay for their contributions to the game.
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The NFL has not addressed this issue at all, leaving league lovers very upset and disappointed. Many Media reported, that Running backs deserve better treatment and recognition from the league and their teams. They are not just disposable assets, but valuable players who make a difference on the field. It’s time for the NFL to pay them what they are worth. In the current scenario, there’s only a dark cloud in sight for the RB position due to the drastic rule changes in the NFL league over a decade.
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