“The NFL is a passing league.” “Working backs don’t matter. “ “I wouldn’t take a operating again within the first spherical, ever.” “Signing backs to huge extensions is all the time a foul thought.”

These, and extra, have been stated over the past decade as issues change in soccer. Even if operating backs are keys to the sport in highschool and school, they’ve been principally used and discarded on the professional degree.

The Cleveland Browns went towards what many anticipated from an “analytics” led entrance workplace to do with RB Nick Chubb. Chubb’s three-year extension for over $36 million is the fourth-highest complete contract at his place.

Evaluating positions, Chubb’s contract wouldn’t crack the highest 20 for quarterbacks or huge receivers.

Monday was the deadline for franchise-tagged gamers to succeed in long-term offers with their groups. TE Evan Engram was capable of come to an settlement however three operating backs didn’t: Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard.

The failure for the three franchised tagged operating backs failing to get extensions has reignited the dialog about operating again worth.

Christian McCaffrey, the very best paid per 12 months again, didn’t mince phrases:

Whereas McCaffrey responded to the information, three different prime operating backs responded to ESPN’s Matt Miller’s tackle operating again:

Whereas Derrick Henry is already one of many prime paid at his place, Jonathan Taylor and Austin Ekeler are recognized to be in search of huge offers coming their means.

In contrast to the Browns with Chubb, most groups are displaying what they consider operating backs with their contract selections. The New York Giants paid QB Daniel Jones an enormous deal regardless of continued questions on his means to play at a excessive degree. As a substitute of paying Pollard, the Dallas Cowboys traded for Brandin Cooks regardless of having Michael Gallup already making over $50 million and CeeDee Lamb up for an enormous new deal quickly at huge receiver.

The Los Angeles Chargers, Ekeler’s staff, refused his request for a contract extension this offseason having invested $60 million in Mike Williams final season and having Keenan Allen making $20 million a 12 months.

Joe Mixon simply took a pay minimize to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals earlier than they give the impression of being to pay an awesome amount of cash to Joe Burrow, JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins.

One of many many causes that operating backs have struggled to get an enormous deal is the worth of the franchise tag. The one tag that prices much less is for a kicker or punter. Not solely that however the worth of the tag has really gone down because the wage cap has risen:

Whereas the NFL will be cyclical in nature, Chubb’s extension might be the final one for operating backs within the close to future. If Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard can’t get multi-year contracts, it is going to be robust for Najee Harris, Travis Etienne, Taylor and others when their free company hits. As a substitute, anticipate groups to put the franchise tag on their again for a 12 months or two earlier than transferring on to an affordable draft decide as Miller urged.

Are you shocked by how shortly operating again contracts have fallen? Stunned that the Browns and Chubb labored out a deal?