Only one running back in the NFL signed a significant long-term contract in 2023, and he had to hold out to get that money. Already in 2024, there are several multi-year deals averaging over $10 million a season and tens of millions of dollars in guaranteed money. Does that mean? back return? Are running back contracts rebounding?
Not exactly.
In 2023, there was a move to franchise tag running backs across the NFL. IIT was the most tagged position in the league, with half of the six tags used there. The one-year salary of $10,091,000 was half of what they would have paid during a long-term contract, so it was nothing for them. dallas cowboys (Tony Pollard), new york giants (Saquon Berkeley), and las vegas raiders (Josh Jacobs).
Only one veteran running back received a big contract extension, Jonathan Taylor, who wasn’t a free agent and had to request a trade and then have to hold out until the regular season to force a deal. I had to. indianapolis colts. He rejoined the team on October 5, and a three-year, $42 million contract extension was announced on October 8. The final year of his rookie contract actually equates to a four-year, $46.3 million contract when compared to his free agent contract.
He was on many shortlists for 2023:
- Only running back signed to a multi-year contract worth more than $6.5 million per season.
- The only veteran running back to sign a fully guaranteed contract worth more than $11 million.
- One of three veteran running backs will sign a two-year guaranteed contract (Miles Sanders, Jamaal Williams)
Some of the other contracts signed in 2023 show why big contracts for running backs aren’t common. Raheem Mostert ($2.2 million guaranteed) became a Pro Bowler in his first year with Miami, rushing for over 1,000 yards and scoring 18 rushing touchdowns.his Dolphin Teammate Devon Achance ($955,000 guaranteed) rushed for 800 yards and eight touchdowns in his first season with Miami.
With the one-year franchise contract expiring by one year in 2023 and the regular free agent market starting in 2024, the running back position was filled with big names heading into the new league year. Their contracts ultimately had mixed results (listed in order of guaranteed amount).
- Saquon Barkley: 3 years, $37.75 million, $25.5 million guaranteed.
- D’Andre Swift: $24 million over three years, $14 million fully guaranteed
- Josh Jacobs: 4 years, $48 million, but only $12.5 million guaranteed (signing bonus)
- Tony Pollard: $24 million over three years, $10.5 million of which $7.5 million in the first year is guaranteed.
- Devin Singletary: $16.5 million over three years, $9.5 million fully guaranteed.
- Derrick Henry: 2 years, $16 million, $9 million fully guaranteed.
- Aaron Jones: 1 year, $7 million (no guaranteed money available)
- Austin Ekeler: 2 years, $8.43 million, $4.21 million fully guaranteed.
The 2024 running back franchise tag number is $11.951 million, which would be $12.1 million for any of the three players tagged last year.
Six of the contracts exceeded the $6.5 million annual threshold, but only three (Barkley, Swift, and Jacobs) guaranteed more than the franchise agreement, with all or most of the first two years guaranteed. There are only three cases (Berkeley, Swift, Singletary). Only one contract hit all three benchmarks (Barclay), as did Jonathan Taylor in 2023.
From 2023 to 2025, when guaranteed money runs out, or from 2023 to 2026, when both contracts expire, Barkley’s contract is better than Taylor’s by every metric. I don’t think any of the other deals are player friendly. They are either non-guaranteed and can be cut off after one season (Jacobs), average less than $8 million per year (Swift, Singletary), or both (Pollard, Henry, Jones, Ekeler).
Due to recent signings, established running backs are also on the move. Joe Mixon was traded by the Bengals after Cincinnati signed Zack Moss to a two-year, $8 million contract with just $3 million guaranteed.Aaron Jones was released. packers After signing Jacobs, he is currently on a one-year, $7 million contract in Minnesota.
It’s not all dark. There is no guaranteed money left on his 2020 contract extension, but Christian McCaffrey is scheduled to make $12 million in cash in 2024. Alvin Kamara will likely be a cap cost for the Saints in 2025, but could earn $11.8 million in 2024. In cash. Nick Chubb is scheduled to make $12.2 million in cash, but his knee injury recovery is making that difficult.
That’s only six players making more than $10 million per season at the running back position, and only two of those have guaranteed income beyond 2024 (note: Taylor’s 2025 2020 income is actually not fully guaranteed until March 17, 2024). Compared to every position in the NFL that isn’t a special teams job, running backs still lag behind.
