NFL running back contract issues, explained: Why Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs are considering holdouts in 2023

Zac Al-Khateeb

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NFL running back contract issues, explained: Why Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs are considering holdouts in 2023 image

Even in a multi-billion organization like the NFL, there is a clear hierarchy in who gets paid the most, and who gets paid the least.

Running backs in recent weeks have found they are in the latter category, evidenced by the fact two of the game's top running backs — Josh Jacobs of the Raiders and Saquon Barkley of the Giants — could not reach long-term deals with their teams. They will play on the franchise tag in 2023, or not at all.

Their situations are a reflection of the position's lost value in an increasingly pass-happy league. Indeed, there hasn't been a Pro Bowl RB on a Super Bowl team since Marshawn Lynch on the 2013 Seahawks. There hasn't been an All-Pro running back on a Super Bowl team since Marshall Faulk in 1999.

Inevitably, RBs' lost value has been reflected in the way — and how much — they are paid in the NFL. Franchises are happy to continuously sign new backs to their teams, enjoying similar production from the new backs without the need to reward their old workhorses with a more lucrative second contract.

MORE: RBs respond as Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, fail to reach long-term deals

That is the essence of running backs' ongoing frustrations in the league. It reached a head with Jacobs and Barkley, though a third franchise-tagged running back, Tony Pollard, will play on the tag in 2023. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler — who has asked to be traded by his team — reportedly organized a Saturday-night Zoom call among players at the position to discuss what can be done.

RBs might not find much sympathy among their fellow players, however: Even if the NFLPA could successfully negotiate increased salaries or assurances for running backs, it would by design mean players at other positions receive less money. It remains to be seen what, if anything, can be done to address the situation.

Until then, here's everything you need to know about the ongoing running back contract issues:

NFL running back contract issues

The central issue to running backs' complaints is they don't feel they are adequately compensated, making less than other offensive skill position players such as quarterbacks, tight ends and receivers. That's especially true considering they take considerably more hits than their offensive counterparts.

Moreover, franchises have shown a willingness in recent years to move on from Pro Bowl-caliber running backs, evidenced by the fact Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt, Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette — who have eight Pro Bowls, one All-Pro season and one NFL rushing title among them — are all free agents. Unlike other positions, RBs' production can be a detriment to their long-term financial success.

Teams have found they can get similar production from running backs on cheaper contracts, such as the Chiefs' Isiah Pacheco ($705,000 base salary in 2023) and Pollard ($965,000 in 2023).

MORE: Le'Veon Bell simplifies RB market debate, compares it to 'A Bug's Life'

Another issue — one that was illustrated by both Jacobs and Barkley's situations — is the fact a not-insignificant portion of running backs' primes are spent in rookie contracts. They offer considerably less earning potential than second contracts, by which point the backs will already have considerable "mileage."

Jacobs for example had 5,892 scrimmage yards and 40 touchdowns in four seasons in Las Vegas, earning $12.08 million for his efforts. Barkley had 6,069 scrimmage yards and 37 touchdowns, earning $38.6 million. Whereas other positions might be rewarded with that sort of production by receiving a second, long-term contract, Jacobs and Barkley instead were placed on the franchise tags.

While they would have received short-term financial compensation, there's no guarantee they would have received a long-term contract for 2024 with their teams. There is no guarantee — holdout or no — they will find a team willing to pay them what they feel is a fair wage in 2024.

NFL running back holdouts 2023

With news that Barkley and the Giants have agreed to a one-year deal, the only running back left holding out for the season is Josh Jacobs. He has not signed his franchise tag, worth $10.091 million.

ProFootballTalk reported on Sunday that running backs in the Zoom call "got the impression" Jacobs will not show up for training camp or the preseason. It remains to be seen whether he would hold out for longer. The Raiders declined to activate his fifth-year option, and he responded by leading the league in rushing and scrimmage yards (1,653 and 2,053 yards, respectively). Las Vegas still was unable to work out a long-term deal.

Barkley signed a one-year deal worth up to $11 million on Tuesday, according to a report from NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. It's a compromise, but he can earn more than he would have on the tag while, ostensibly, controlling whether he reaches a long-term contract after the season.

Speaking ahead of the deadline to extend franchise-tagged players, said he did not want to hold out — but that he might have to.

Cowboys running back Tony Pollard also signed his franchise tag in March, and his fully guaranteed salary million marks a significant increase from previous earnings: He made just $3.96 million through his first four years combined.

IYER: Why Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs & Tony Pollard aren't underpaid in 2023

Highest-paid NFL running backs

Here are the highest-paid running backs for the 2023 season, according to data from Spotrac (including the franchise tags for Pollard, Jacobs and Barkley).

Player Team AAV
Christian McCaffrey 49ers $16.01 million
Alvin Kamara Saints $15 million
Derrick Henry Titans $12.5 million
Nick Chubb Browns $12.2 million
Aaron Jones Packers $12 million
Saquon Barkley Giants $11 million
Josh Jacobs* Raiders $10.09 million
Tony Pollard Cowboys $10.09 million
James Conner Cardinals $7 million
Miles Sanders Panthers $6.35 million

* Has not signed franchise tag

Average NFL running back salary

According to data from Spotrac, the average salary among running backs is $1.79 million — lower than that of kickers, and higher only than punters, fullbacks and long snappers. Here is a positional breakdown of where RBs rank in average salary:

  1. LT: $8,952,680
  2. RT: $5,128,198
  3. QB: $4,855,892
  4. ILB: $3,856,602
  5. OLB: $3,703,880
  6. EDGE: $3,234,289
  7. DE: $2,996,247
  8. G: $2,500,421
  9. DT: $2,496,660
  10. C: $2,394,058
  11. K: $2,228,472
  12. WR: $2,277,703
  13. S: $2,196,749
  14. TE: $2,055,238
  15. CB: $1,999,348
  16. RB: $1,789,687
  17. FB: $1,724,440
  18. P: $1,520,940
  19. LS: $1,069,016

What other NFL RBs are saying

Jacobs and Barkley's inability to sign long-term deals with their respective teams created an outpouring of frustration from running backs throughout the league. Several RBs in particular responded to the following tweet from ESPN NFL draft scout Matt Miller:

Browns running back Nick Chubb added more insight into running backs' contract struggles after the positional Zoom call, telling ESPN "there's really nothing we can do."

"We're kind of handcuffed with the situation," Chubb said. "We're the only position that our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they're going to say you're probably worn down. It's tough. ... It hurts us at the end of the day."

Zac Al-Khateeb

Zac Al-Khateeb Photo

Zac Al-Khateeb has been part of The Sporting News team since 2015 after earning his Bachelor's (2013) and Master's (2014) degrees in journalism at the University of Alabama. Prior to joining TSN, he covered high school sports and general news in Alabama. A college sports specialist, Zac has been a voter for the Biletnikoff Award and Heisman Trophy since 2020.