The New York Giants got some good news this week when star running back Saquon Barkley signed a one-year deal worth $10.1 million fully guaranteed, including a $2 million upfront signing bonus. The signing ends what could have been a long and lengthy holdout that would have ultimately hurt both the Giants and Saquon.

The signing also has bigger ramifications throughout the league. If Saquon Barkley, who is a focal point of the Giants’ offense can’t get paid, who will? Even Josh Jacobs coming off a career year can’t get an extension with the Las Vegas Raiders.

The running back market is becoming a black hole of unsigned players. Currently, Dalvin Cook, Leonard Fournette, Kareem Hunt, and Ezekiel Elliott remain without a team for 2023. All of them are under 30 years old. 

Jets third year running back and former fourth round pick Michael Carter chimed in with his thoughts on the Giants and the whole running back market.

“The whole market is wrecked,” he said. “And you can take whoever and make an example of: ‘Oh, it’s this guy’s fault [for struggling on a lucrative second deal].’ But the end of the day, running backs are offensive weapons. We’re the only ones who block and run and catch. There’s nobody on the field that does that. When you get to the playoffs, you’re going to have to run to win. And you’re going to have to run to win the Super Bowl. And that’s proven. So, I think it’s blasphemous that they don’t pay the running back. I woke up and I saw Saquon on a prove-it deal, and I almost went back to sleep. I couldn’t believe it. Like, what are we doing? But it’ll get fixed, though.”

How will it get fixed is the biggest issue. Carter’s first order of business would be to get rid of the franchise tag. “I heard that we’re the only sport with a franchise tag,” Carter said. “Yeah, so that’s probably got to go.” Good luck with that.

The franchise tag isn’t what is hurting the running back market. The way the game is played is hurting the running back market.

The NFL has been changing its rules little by little over the last decade to shift the focus from the old “ground and pound” to a high-scoring, aerial attack game. The fans want points. You can blame gambling or fantasy football or whatever you want, but that’s the truth.

The fact is a lot of these running backs now play almost a different game than the one they grew up watching. Gone are the days of the 30-carry, work horse backs and here are the days of the fresh legs, running back by committee, time share backs.

In a league with a salary cap, as much as teams are able to work around it when they need to, there is only so much to go around. Paying a guy to touch the ball 15 times a game a large sum when his replacement is sitting on a rookie deal just doesn’t make sense.

Some guys are more important to their teams than simple rotational pieces, but they are fewer and farther between then we want to admit. In the fantasy football world, we can grow attached to players, especially at the running back position, but most of them are benefactors of opportunity and scheme than they are superstars. At least as compared to their replacement who was just drafted.

I feel for running backs trying to make as much money as they can while taking the beating on their bodies that they endure game in and game out. But business, and more importantly, money rules all.

In a few seasons the Jets are going to be looking at trying to resign Garrett Wilson, Sauce Gardner and Breece Hall. You probably can’t pay everyone. Who do you think will be let go so the other two can stay in New York?

The answer is clear and it’s not good news for the Jets running back. And if Hall can’t get paid, what chance does a guy like Michael Carter have to get a big contract?

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With the official announcement made that the New York Jets will be featured on Hard Knocks this training camp, the lobbying and politicking to not be on the show can stop and the fun can begin. I’ve stated before how the Jets are tailormade to be on the show given the hype surrounding the team, […]