(Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)
The NFL’s running back market has been on the decline for quite a while now, but it seems like it has never been lower than it is nowadays.
Several former stars have struggled to even gauge some interest, let alone get a big payday, and that trend figures to become even more evident as the years go by.
For context, Miles Sanders’ four-year deal with the Carolina Panthers worth $25.4 million was actually the most significant contract signed by a running back in the offseason, which is why he believes every player in his position is severely underpaid right now:
“It’s nothing that we’re doing wrong,” Sanders said. “We’re doing everything that we have to do as far as on the field and stuff like that. For people and GMs or owners to think that running backs are not as valued as much is a lie because you’ve got to see how everything plays out. You’ve got to see what guys like Christian McCaffrey, the stuff he does, things that Saquon Barkley (does), the things that Josh Jacobs (does) consistently each year.”
Panthers RB Miles Sanders: “Almost every running back is underpaid right now”https://t.co/jDRiXQG53w
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 29, 2023
Sanders is right on point there, as even he saw his pay take a downfall, getting just a $6.35 million average per year with just $13 million guaranteed.
Kareem Hunt, Leonard Fournette, Ezekiel Elliott, Melvin Gordon, and now even Dalvin Cook remained unsigned at this point in the offseason, and truth be told, it doesn’t seem like we’re going to see all of them padding up and taking the field in 2023, at least not for a full campaign or as starters.
Saquon Barkley is also in the midst of a contract dispute with the New York Giants and refuses to play under the franchise tag, but it seems unlikely that any other team would be willing to offer him more money, especially if he misses this season as a holdout.
The running back has become an expendable position in today’s pass-happy offense, and it might take a while before another bellcow tackle-breaker cashes in on a big payday.
The post Miles Sanders Makes His Thoughts Clear About The Running Back Market appeared first on The Cold Wire.