Joe Thomas weighs in on NFL running backs feeling undervalued: “I feel empathetic for them”
Saquon Barkley’s recent holdout put running back valuation in the spotlight. We talked to Hall of Famer Joe Thomas about why this position has a lower salary than so many others players.
Sports Seriously
It has been a frustrating offseason for running backs, a position that is experiencing reduced financial muscle in the modern-day NFL.
During the past couple months, several of the game’s best backs have had trouble reaching deals with teams for what they feel is fair-market value. Two-time Pro Bowler Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants and reigning NFL rushing champ Josh Jacobs of the Las Vegas Raiders failed to strike long-term agreements after being designated with their teams’ franchise tags. Meanwhile, free agents Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott remained unsigned as training camps opened.
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Who is the highest-paid NFL running back?
The San Francisco 49ers‘ Christian McCaffrey signed a four-year contract extension with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. His 2022 trade put the onus on the 49ers to absorb the richest deal given to a running back.
2023 NFL RB salary rankings
Here are the running back salary rankings based on average annual value, according to Over The Cap.
1. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: $16 million (4 years, $64.06 million)
2. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints: $15 million (5 years, $75 million)
3. Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans: $12.5 million (4 years, $50 million)
4. Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns: $12.2 million (3 years, $36.6 million)
5. Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers: $11.5 million (2 years, $23 million)
6 (tie). Saquon Barkley, New York Giants: $10.09 million (1 year, $10.09 million)
6 (tie). Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys: $10.09 million (1 year, $10.09 million)
6 (tie). Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders: $10.09 million (1 year, $10.09 million)
9. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals: $7 million (3 years, $21 million)
10. Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers: $6.35 million (4 years, $25.4 million)
11. Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers: $6.12 million (4 years, $24.5 million)
12. David Montgomery, Detroit Lions: $6 million (3 years, $18 million)
13. Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals: $5.75 million (2 years, $11.5 million)
14. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons: $5.48 million (4 years, $21.95 million)
15. Kyle Juszczyk (FB), San Francisco 49ers: $5.4 million (5 years, $27 million)
16. Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons: $5.25 million (2 years, $10.5 million)
17. Nyheim Hines, Buffalo Bills: $4.5 million (2 years, $9 million)
18. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: $4.46 million (4 years, $17.84 million)
19. Jamaal Williams, New Orleans Saints: $4 million (3 years, $12 million)
20 (tie). Patrick Ricard (FB), Baltimore Ravens: $3.75 million (3 years, $11.25 million)
20 (tie). Samaje Perine, Denver Broncos: $3.75 million (2 years, $7.5 million)
22. Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings: $3.5 million (2 years, $7 million)
23. Gus Edwards, Baltimore Ravens: $3.38 million (1 year, $3.38 million)
24. Najee Harris, Pittsburgh Steelers: $3.26 million (4 years, $13.04 million)
25. Alec Ingold (FB), Miami Dolphins: $3.25 million (2 years, $6.5 million)
26. Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars: $3.22 million (4 years, $12.89 million)
27. Jeff Wilson, Miami Dolphins: $3 million (2 years, $6 million)
28 (tie). C.J. Ham (FB), Minnesota Vikings: $2.8 million (2 years, $5.6 million)
28 (tie). Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins: $2.8 million (2 years, $5.6 million)
30. Devin Singletary, Houston Texans: $2.75 million (1 year, $2.75 million)
31. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs: $2.7 million (4 years, $10.82 million)
32. Brandon Bolden, Las Vegas Raiders: $2.5 million (2 years, $5.01 million)
Here’s the list of all the positions
