Running back pay in the NFL is back in the conversation. On Monday the league’s franchise tag deadline closed and all three of the running backs looking for a pay-day got shut out, including Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard. Now there’s a war of words going on, with some blaming the league, others blaming the analytics nerds, and others who are more than happy to accept the current state of the running back market, cruel though it may be.
Here’s what some of the league’s current best running backs and some retired greats have to say about it.
Saquon Barkley
It is what it is
— Saquon Barkley (@saquon) July 17, 2023
Le'Veon Bell
Disney a LONG time ago (1998) taught me a valuable lesson about sticking together, go watch “A Bug’s Life” … it’ll put in perspective the running back market .. the running backs are the ants .. I’m Flik (The Inventive Ant) I took ALL the damage from the grasshoppers (Owners)
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) July 18, 2023
Derrick Henry
At this point , just take the RB position out the game then . The ones that want to be great & work as hard as they can to give their all to an organization , just seems like it don’t even matter . I’m with every RB that’s fighting to get what they deserve . https://t.co/OgvBWZCKvn
— Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) July 17, 2023
Najee Harris
I agree with my running back brothers around the NFL- history will show that you need running backs to win- we set the tone every game and run trough walls for our team and lead in many ways- this notion that we deserve less is a joke. https://t.co/rWJkGIEgmW
— Najee Harris (@ohthatsNajee22) July 17, 2023
Austin Ekeler
This is the kind of trash that has artificially devalued one of the most important positions in the game. Everyone knows it’s tough to win without a top RB and yet they act like we are discardable widgets. I support any RB doing whatever it takes to get his bag. https://t.co/sRYfAKwrpQ
— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) July 17, 2023
Christian McCaffrey
This is Criminal. Three of the best PLAYERS in the entire league, regardless of position. https://t.co/zDXRS5cGdu
— Christian McCaffrey (@CMC_22) July 17, 2023
Jonathan Taylor
1. If you’re good enough, they’ll find you.
2. If you work hard enough, you’ll succeed.
…If you succeed…
3. You boost the Organization
…and then…
Doesn’t matter, you’re a RB https://t.co/mG6In1ATGg
— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 17, 2023
Aaron Jones
Running Backs are one of the most valuable positions and no one can change my mind about that !
— Aaron Jones 3️⃣3️⃣ (@Showtyme_33) July 18, 2023
Justin Forsett
Running Backs get more respect in fantasy football which is sad.
— Justin Forsett (@JForsett) July 18, 2023
