NFL running backs are a fickle position. They usually burst onto the scene, flash their brilliance, and then fade away. In today’s game, it is rare to see a running back have a prolonged career with one franchise. Organizations rarely want to pay big money to older backs, which creates a lot of turnover at the position.
Let’s examine 5 running backs that will retire with their current team, and 5 that will soon be running away from their current teams.
CHANGE – Ezekiel Elliott, New England Patriots
Ezekiel Elliott has carved out a nice career for himself over the last 8 years, but his days as a starting running back are clearly over. The end of his time as a starter will usher in his new role as a journeyman running back. Despite accumulating over 8,000 rushing yards and 68 touchdowns during his time there, the Cowboys had no problems cutting ties with Elliott after last season in favor of the younger, more effective Tony Pollard. Elliott has produced very little this season in New England, and as the Patriots embark on a necessary rebuild, he will not be in their future plans. Elliott is only 28 years old, so expect to see him in a different uniform in 2024.
STAY – Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
For 6 years, Aaron Jones has been a staple of the Packers running game, breaking the 1,000-yard-per-season barrier 3 times. In fact, over the last 4 seasons Jones, along with fellow running back AJ Dillon, have served as one of the best running combinations in the NFL. It is that dual threat that has helped keep Jones fresh and should continue to do so, allowing him to extend his career. He restructured his contract prior to the 2023 season because of his desire to stay in Green Bay. It is that mentality that will allow Aaron Jones to retire as a lifetime Packer.
CHANGE – Saquon Barkley, NY Giants
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Despite dealing with some serious injury issues over his first few seasons, Saquan Barkley showed last year that he is fully healthy. In 2022, in a return to his first two seasons, he rushed for over 1,300 yards and reached double digits in touchdowns. After having already played under the Franchise Tag route, Barkley will be a free agent after this season. At 26, with his injury history and the short shelf life of running backs, he’s going to want to get paid. Since the Giants are horrible, they would be better off spending their money elsewhere, which means that Saquan Barkley is as good as gone.
STAY – Christian McCafferty, San Francisco 49ers
Pairing Christian McCafferty with the San Francisco 49ers has been a win-win for both parties. The star running back has looked rejuvenated since his trade to the Bay Area and has helped make the Niners a legitimate Super Bowl contender. The partnership has been so successful that McCafferty even restructured his contract to give the team more cap flexibility in 2023 and the future. It appears that he wants the relationship to last. Why not? The 49ers are one of the best teams in the league. It’s clear that he has found a home. Not only will Christian McCafferty leave his heart in San Francisco, but he will also leave his career there too.
CHANGE – Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
Derrick Henry is going to the NFL Hall of Fame, but he won’t be going from Nashville. Henry has had a great career, including becoming just the 8th player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season, and although it’s not over yet, it’s tough to see him continuing in a Tennessee uniform. At the conclusion of the 2023 season, Henry will be a free agent, and 30 years old. There were some trade rumors earlier this year, so the odds of the Titans paying Derrick Henry big money when they need to rebuild are small.
STAY – Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
The events between Jonathan Taylor and the Colts last offseason would clearly indicate that a divorce might be in their future, but that might not be the case. If you weren’t following the news, Taylor held out the first few weeks of the 2023 season over a contract dispute before finally signing a 3-year deal. He’s only 24 years old, so Taylor will be a free agent at the age of 26/27, which will allow him to sign a more lucrative deal. A lot can happen in three years to heal the wounds of the past. The Colts should be contenders by then, and giving Jonathan Taylor a big money deal will go a long way to smoothing over bad feelings.
CHANGE – Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara is currently playing under his second contract with the Saints, a 5-year, $75 million deal that runs through 2025. The chances of him signing a third one are slim at best. It’s not that he’s unproductive, in fact, quite the opposite, as he’s been a running and receiving threat since entering the league in 2017. But, by the end of his current deal, Kamara will be a 30-year-old running back making over $20 million a season. Since he will probably be looking for one last payday, it doesn’t make sense for New Orleans to pay up, making Alvin Kamara’s time in the Big Easy limited.
STAY – Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert has been the definition of a journeyman throughout the start of his career, as he has played for 5 different teams over his first 9 years in the league. However, it seems that he’s finally found a home in Miami. Over the last two seasons, Mostert has established himself as the starting running back and is having the most sustained success in his career. It is clear to anyone who is watching that Mostert has a special relationship with Coach Mike McDaniel. Since he was vastly underused the first few years of his career, despite being 31 years old, he has a few more productive years left, so expect Raheem Mostert to finish his playing days in Miami.
CHANGE – Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler is one of the more overrated running backs in the NFL today. He’s very good, but he falls short of the elite category. At 28 years old, 2023 represents his 7th year in the league, and he has never reached the 1,000-yard-per-season mark, won an award, or been selected to a Pro Bowl. Last off-season, Ekeler requested a trade due to a contract issue. Both sides came to an agreement for this season, but he will be a free agent very soon. If he wants elite money, he’s not going to get it from San Diego. Look for Austin Ekeler elsewhere next season.
STAY – Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Pollard, the 26-year-old starting running back for the Cowboys, is coming off a 2022 season in which he ran for over 1,000 yards on his way to the Pro Bowl. In doing so, Pollard has set himself up to be the long-term backfield solution for Dallas. Although he is currently playing under the Franchise Tag, it was reported that Dallas offered him a long-term contract, so clearly, they see value in keeping him. With no other running back options on their roster, Dallas would be foolish to let him leave as a free agent. Since they are in win-now mode, it makes sense for the Cowboys to find common ground on a long-term deal with Tony Pollard.
