Running backs might be the most devalued position in the National Football League right now. The NFL has a clear problem with the value of running backs in their game.
Running backs are coming into the league, producing on their rookie contracts and teams are rewarding them by either cutting bait and moving on to the next guy or just franchise tagging them before they get to the point. Teams are willing to do that rather than set the market with an expensive deal that may be what the player is worth.
This is something that’s gaining more attention now with Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs unable to get long-term deals from the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders.
Former Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram recently called the way NFL teams are handling running backs “criminal.”
Ingram further added to his concern during a recent interview on The Rich Eisen Show.
“I think it’s criminal,” Ingram said. “I think it’s a shame that we have come to this, and that they’re devaluing the position. You have some of the best players in the league, regardless of position, who are coming up on long-term contracts, and they’re trying to control the salaries. They’re trying to control the market, devalue the position and not compensate these guys for what they have earned and what they provide to their teams.”
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The 33-year-old would like to eliminate the franchise tag for running backs, if not for all players. Ingram also told Eisen that running backs “need to come together and we need to come up with a solution.”
After failing to get a huge deal, Saquon signed a one-year, $11 million contract with the Giants this week. The deal does not include any provisions that would prohibit the Giants from using the franchise tag on him again next offseason, so both sides could be feuding in 2024.
