NFL Rushers To Make Less Than Kickers In ’23, Many Voice Anger With Narrative They’re No Longer Valuable

The running back position in high-level football continues to become more obsolete. Many NFL franchises aren’t using high draft picks on RBs, while others refuse to pay top dollar to keep talent in the backfield.

As the sport continues its evolution towards the passing game, the wallets and outlook of those rushers are being affected.

Gone are the days of bruising three-down backs and heavy rushing attacks. Now, football has become all about speed, athleticism, and the big play.

Offenses continue to spread defenses out, and most front offices would now rather spend money on wide outs, versatile tight ends, and of course, quarterbacks. With that being said, running back rotations have become more and more common.

The ability of an offense to plug a different player in at tailback and get largely the same result has led to a devaluing of the position as a whole. In fact, in 2023, the average NFL RB salary will be less than that of a kicker.

This is a problem. pic.twitter.com/AOIG4ga7xP

— Luke Sawhook (@lukesawhook)

Twitter

Along with the ease of rotating players, the lifespan of a running back is much shorter than other positions which makes owners and coaches even more hesitant to take the risk of a big contract.

We’re seeing this exact scenario play out in New York with Saquon Barkley.

Evidence seems to support this recent trend, though, at least judging by the latest Super Bowl winners. Kansas City just won a title with an Isaiah Pacheco/Jerrick McKinnon duo.

Before that, leading rushers on Super Bowl winning teams included CJ Anderson, Leonard Fournette, Damien Williams, Sony Michel, and LeGarrette Blount going back to 2015.

While all talented in their own right, it’s not going to be a future Hall of Fame ballot.

So now, what we see is teams cycling through rookie running back contracts then replacing them with younger talent at the end of their first deals.

Been saying it for years:

1. Draft a RB
2. Play the RB

…if he’s good…

3. Franchise tag the RB ONE TIME

…and then…

1. Draft a RB…

— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout)

Twitter

That isn’t sitting well with current NFL rushers.

NFL RBs blast narrative that they’re no longer valuable.

Those running backs came out in droves to voice frustrations with the take. Austin Ekeler was one of the most vocal as he responded to that previously posted tweet from Matt Miller.

“This is the kind of trash that has artificially devalued one of the most important positions in the game,” the Chargers’ back

Twitter

. “Everyone knows it’s tough to win without a top RB and yet they act like we are discardable widgets. I support any RB doing whatever it takes to get his bag.”

Running backs across the league share their thoughts on the current state of the position. pic.twitter.com/ljyTileuO2

— ESPN (@espn)

Twitter

Christian McCaffrey agreed by saying, “This is CRIMINAL!” when reading about the salary numbers.

Pittsburgh’s Najee Harris wrote, “I agree with my RB brothers around the NFL – history will show that you need running backs to win.”

Fans and media were quick to comment, too.

This reminds me of all the tweets about fullbacks when that position became less important

— Russillo (@ryenarussillo)

Twitter

The state of the running back position is in flux. It will be interesting to see where things go from here.

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