NFL Running Backs Offer Strong Defense of Their Position As Franchise Tag Deadline Passes

The franchise tag extension deadline came and went on Monday with three running backs failing to get an extension from their teams: Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs have not signed their franchise tenders and are expected to hold out to start training camp, while Tony Pollard has already signed his with the Cowboys for the 2023 season.

Barkley and Jacobs both tweeted about their situations, as Barkley appears resigned while Jacobs argued he isn’t trying to “reset the market” but instead looking for a fair deal. Either way, the result means both players may not suit up again for the Giants or Raiders until September.

We never tried to reset the market

— Josh Jacobs (@iAM_JoshJacobs) July 17, 2023

The lack of extensions encapsulates the running back market, as teams are not paying running backs at the rate they are paying other positions. In fact, the last running back who signed a deal worth at least $10 million per year was Nick Chubb in 2021.

As fans and analysts argue that teams are better off not paying for running backs, the backs themselves are speaking out about how they feel regarding Barkley, Jacobs and the position as a whole. 

Among those that tweeted were Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey and Jonathan Taylor, who are considered the best of the best at the position.

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

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

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

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

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

Some running backs have already commented on the state of the position, as Chargers running back Austin Ekeler said something needs to happen to change the status quo.

“The trend right now is not to pay running backs, so everyone is like ‘OK, we don’t have to do it either then,’” Ekeler said last week. “Whether it’s right, wrong or indifferent, it is what it is. It’s going to take something, whether some guy stands out again, whether it’s this year, one of these guys holds out and gets a big contract, but we need that needle to move to push us over the edge”