Christian McCaffrey Takes a Stand: Strong Words on the Troubling State of the Running Back Market (Tweet)
It's no secret that running backs across the league are growing increasingly frustrated with the devaluation of their position. In a disappointing turn of events, star players like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard failed to secure long-term extension agreements with their respective teams before Monday's 4 p.m. ET deadline.
Christian McCaffrey, the San Francisco 49ers' standout running back and the highest-paid player at his position in terms of average annual salary, didn't hold back in expressing his concern, labeling the situation faced by his fellow players as nothing short of "criminal."
While Pollard managed to sign his one-year tender with the Cowboys, guaranteeing him a $10.09 million salary for 2023, Barkley and Jacobs have yet to put pen to paper on their franchise tags. It remains to be seen whether either of these talented running backs will take their dissatisfaction to the next level and potentially miss games as a means to make a statement.
Barkley, the 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year, is coming off a stellar season where he played a pivotal role in leading the New York Giants to the playoffs and securing a thrilling wild-card victory over the Vikings. Jacobs, on the other hand, earned his first well-deserved first-team All-Pro selection after topping the league with an impressive 2,053 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in 2022.
As for McCaffrey himself, he currently sits atop the running back salary ladder with an average annual income of $16 million. Despite limited appearances last season due to injury, McCaffrey showcased his exceptional skills in the 11 games he played for the 49ers, rushing for 746 yards on 159 carries and scoring six touchdowns. His impact was undeniable, as he played a crucial role in propelling the team to the NFC Championship game, where they unfortunately fell short against the Eagles.
The outcry from running backs like McCaffrey highlights the pressing need for a reassessment of the running back market and the value placed on this pivotal position. As the debate rages on, it remains to be seen how the league and teams will respond to the concerns raised by these talented athletes.
| POLL | ||
19 JUILLET | 33 ANSWERS Christian McCaffrey Takes a Stand: Strong Words on the Troubling State of the Running Back Market (Tweet) Are NFL Running Backs getting disrespected? | ||
| Yes | 24 | 72.7 % |
| No | 9 | 27.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
