To add to the idea of dual-threat QBs, the league is actively looking to protect the highest-paid player on the field at all times when a QB rushes. How many ticky-tack penalties are called for "late hits" when the QB is rushing versus when a running back has the ball? There is an institutional advantage for rushing QBs.

This video just makes me appreciate the people who appreciate King Henry even more. Man is a generational talent, and no one at that size should be able to move that fast. Really hoping he can get a Super Bowl trophy before he calls it a career.

It’s hard to not blame QBs and these new offensive schemes. QBs have always been the highest paid but back in day they needed a RB to pound the rock to set up the play action. These days every play has crazy pre snap motion that sets up a read option with a QB that’s often the top rusher. Young RBs in HS and college would be smart to get great at catching the ball.

Never forget: Until he got hurt in Week 10 or 11 that year, Bell's backup, James Connor, put up nearly identical numbers to what Bell put up the year before, within like 50 yards and 1 touchdown on almost the same amount of carries. That opened a lot of teams' eyes, I think, to the fact that O-Lines and run schemes make the yards more than the big pricetag backs. Also, the short shelf life and 'frequent' injuries to Running Backs is linked to the fact that Full Backs are almost extinct in the league anymore. It's funny how taking the protection away makes guys get hurt more often. And I don't know exactly how it fits into the math, but Trent Richardson being picked 3rd overall and busting as hard as he did probably factors in to reluctance to take risks on "every down" backs.

In my opinion, running the ball is like a 2 point shot in basketball, whereas passing is like a 3 point shot. Both passing and 3 point shots have been more common over the past decade since even if it's a higher risk, it's also a higher reward

I think the best option is to restructure rookie deals for running backs 1. Increase the pay so they get compensated for their normally highest production. 2. Shorten the rookie contract to 2 years so they can get big boy contracts sooner. This won't be a perfect fit but I do think this solution will enable running backs to get paid when the market values them the most.

I played RB in high school, and while this situation infuriates me I completely get it. The line makes the running game, and unless you have a generational talent like Barry Sanders to hand the ball to there's no reason to pay the big bucks. Saquon raised the question about the value of RBs in the modern age, and Zeke's contract reinforced it.

Another big issue: modern rookie contracts. RBs spend what is often their prime years getting carries on their rookie deals. Imagine the kind of contract a Saquon or a McCaffrey could have gotten if they could have signed as a true free agent out of college.

Not really touched on here is the way officiating has changed to coddle the QBs. The running game also used to be a way to save your franchise QB from taking more punishment and injury. These days they take far less contact by the way the game is called, so it is less important to try and protect them with a run game that can take pressure off them and even shorten games. Add to it the protections afforded to QBs that aren’t given to RBs, thus keeping their career primes on average brief, and it’s a double shot that’s hurt the RBs.

I wonder if, with the prevalence of passing in the offensive philosophy these days, running backs might actually become useful again due to the sheer amount of sub packages teams would need to run to contend with the amount of passing threats on the field at any given time. Or we'll see the emergence of more Nickel/LB hybrids that can both stop the run and cover speedy slot receivers

It’s sad to see running backs get abused and not get payed much but at the same time I can see why they don’t pay them they start to get older and you never wanna draft a Runningback in the first round unless he’s Walter Payton or sanders

As a Chiefs fan, I feel blessed to have Pecheco and Jerick McKinnon. McKinnon in particular is a back who is a receiving threat. I think we're going to see RB evolve even more into a RPO option in the future, and RB will need to evolve multiple skillsets.

I remember 10 years ago when I got into fantasy football, you had to first pick a runningback. It was seen as incredibly risky to early pick a quarterback that wasn't called Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, and wideouts were a second or third round luxury. Crazy to see how much the league has shifted in the past decade.

The other thing to consider is that paying an O-lineman more/more on lineman depth benefits both the run and pass. Sure a good run game can take pressure off the pass but it has to be exceptionally good to make defences gameplan primarily against the run in the pass first era.

4:00 2013 Seahawks leading rusher is listed as Percy Harvin, who had 0 attempts and yards rushing that year. their leading rusher was actually Marshawn Lynch who had nearly 1300 yards and a salary of $7M

Thanks for mentioning Chris Carson. Dude was a dark horse. That 1000 season he had was really amazing. And penny finally broke the code but couldn’t ever stay healthy. There are so many Seahawks running backs I miss, they were all dogs and looked up to lynch. Turning, Carson, Rawls, mckissac. It’s a shame that the position has devolved to what it is now.

That Josh Norman stiff arm haunts the nightmares of all us bills fans

As someone who played offensive line at the college level, I think the narrative around RBs has gotten a little crazy. It doesn't matter how well you block if the running back can't diagnose in a split second, cut and explode through the hole in time. A running back can also make his blockers look better with creativity and tackle breaking ability. On my high school team, our RB was our best player and he was the only reason we ever won any games. When he wasn't out there, we just weren't the same. Running (to set up the pass) will always be a part of the NFL. Teams still run on about 40-50% of plays depending on the team (and I would wager that this number rises and falls based on how good their lead back is). 40-50% of all plays is a huge number of touches, and when you count RB receptions this could easily exceed 50% of all offensive snaps. This means that a RB will likely touch the ball more than any non-QB player on most teams. Whatever the difference is between Derrick Henry and Dontrell Hilliard, or Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin, or Adrian Peterson and Toby Gerhart, that difference is magnified by the huge number of touches these lead backs are getting. This is why RB, when you get a great one, is very often the face of the franchise. As far as the recent devaluation of the RB position in terms of pay, I think this is for two reasons. The first is that for whatever reason, there has been a recent shortage of HoF worthy backs entering the NFL. I suspect this has something to do with the rise of mega-programs dominating, usually out of the SEC, where these mega teams have 3-4 elite RBs and none of them ever really get to develop as the "guy." And secondly, since prices in Free Agency are typically driven by the biggest stars, since the big star level backs have been lacking recently, that makes all the remaining backs look relatively same-ish, which creates a supply and demand problem. But this is not the same as it being the case that RBs are all the same or just a product of their offenses. A great back still makes a tremendous difference, it's just that there aren't very many of them right now.

What's interesting is that the fifth year option for first round picks increases the opportunity for team control, allowing a team like the Giants to kick the can down the road a year with Saquon's contract negotiations instead of trying to work out this problem in 2022. That might explain the value that can come for teams like the Falcons and Lions, who just spent high draft capital at the position on backs with solid receiving ability.

It’s crazy how positions like running back can change so drastically in a small amount of time.

There's a sort of parallel between running backs and big men in the NBA. They're just as injury prone and with the evolution of the three ball, they had a slump in value. But, as defenses shifted out to the perimeter to deal with the three, interior play became more viable and now we're seeing a resurgence in Big Man dominance (granted they also shoot a lot more threes than before). Hopefully something similar can happen to running backs in the next decade or so because damn do I love watching them pound turf.

Short shelf life with high supply. Why would you pay big bucks to an RB when not only is there another back coming around the corner but the guy you might pay will be finished before the end of the contract

I think Derrick Henry has become one of my all time favorite players to watch since entering the NFL. Sometimes it's hard to even believe what you're seeing.

As a Giants fan and big Saquon fan, as talented as he is, the Gmen won two super bowls since 2007 with a fourth round and seventh round pick headlining their backfield. The giants having a bad o line the past ten years makes a guy like Saquon meaningless if he’s got no one blocking. I wish there could be an in between because Saquon is a generational talent and the giants o line has improved a lot.

When Zeke held out, all NFL media and personalities were like PAY ZEKE! Jerry buckled under pressure and paid him, the Zeke went on to become the running back that was starting to show wear and tear. That contract became an albatross and until recently, Dallas cut their losses. Todd Gurley got paid but he developed arthritis in his knees, wasn’t the same and had to retire shortly. The game has changed, unfortunately running backs whom are the bell cow are not sought after anymore.

Been loving these videos a lot. It’s cool seeing more ‘sports industry’ related videos in recent weeks and you’ve got great analysis. Can’t wait to see more of this

The other problem with running backs is that they're the only position in football to benefit from being short, as a result, they don't have much of a choice but to play that position

Potential solution to addressing the problem of RB’s having notoriously short careers compared to other positions: Have entry level contracts (ELC’s) for running backs reduced to 2 or 3 years rather than the standard 4 all while offering some sort of cap hit break. ELC’s ending earlier would give RB’s a chance to earn their first big deal right before their mid 20s while possibly getting a “respectable deal” by the end of that deal when the RB hits late 20s.

No matter what, no matter who you are, you are also replaceable. I think this video also serves as a reminder to be thankful for what you have

I think it will balance out eventually. The athletes who play runningback will play elsewhere, and eventually the demand for a good runningback will increase again. It’s just that the supply of good running backs is insanely high in todays game.

The disrespect towards runningbacks is why I’ve lost my love for football, it’s my favorite position and I always played with in games now that the league and owners don’t care about the position I’ve stopped caring about football. Dalvin cook was the last straw for me my favorite player on my team tossed away like he meant nothing

The whole O-line thing is so true. I remember the main reason why I drafted johnathan Taylor in 2021 wasn’t because he’s good at making his own yardage. It’s because he gets to run behind quinton Nelson. If you watched nfl top 100 even the rbs say that 90% of the time they just run behind him instead of their actual running lane

Le’Veon Bell did a huge disservice to RB pay … his apology is not accepted

Im expecting an increase in running backs decoming dual threats as well. The shown decrease in wanting a running back is gonna make those that play the position become well-versed elsewhere like tight-end or wide receiver so they wont be shafted off as quickly

I agree with all of the points you brought up. It’s sucks for these guys who sacrifice their bodies as much as anyone on a football field but paying RBs doesn’t work out for the team. Also, you name dropping those running backs brought back nostalgia from the 2017 season of the NFL.

I think Atlanta is the perfect example of this. Bijan was the highest rb prospect in years yet he’s gonna be on a rotation with allgier (5th round 1k rusher) and Patterson (SB winning vet). It’s way easier to get multiple good cheap running backs than spending for one elite rb.

Call me crazy, but I point the finger at Mike Shanahan. When his offense was clicking he was cycling through RBs like socks. That kinda opened eyes to the fact that any decent runner could be stuck there, & his scheme would get them to 1,000 yds. Feel like ever since then we’ve seen the “by committee” concept become more prevalent.

Really like this style of video, tree. I would love to see more stuff like this

great insight as always tree. I could not agree with you more.

It is odd that teams will draft RBs high (1st and 2nd round) but will refuse to pay for them because of the flooded market and injury concerns, which just makes it look like they're wasting draft capital

I think the biggest thing screwing them is rookie wage scale. Running backs have never had long shelf lives. Guys like Emmitt Smith and Adrian Peterson who could still have 1,000 yard seasons late into their careers are honestly the real unicorns. Every year there is a big, fast as hell feature back in the draft who can dominate for several years before fading. The rookie scale means they don’t get big money when they are young and by the time they can get a new contract they are cooked or close to being cooked. Passing becoming more prevalent and the supply of cheap solid but not great backs hurts too but that’s secondary

Dont forget Jonas Gray on that list of has beens. I know it was kinda self inflicted and he had one big game but still. The fact bill just disregarded that and still had a ok to above average ground game confirms everything you said

I remember several years ago, an anonymous GM was quoted as saying, "I know this may sound cruel, but here's my personal philosophy regarding RBs -- draft one high, in the first round, and ride him until the wheels fall off. Then go get you another one. And because I know how much punishment and wear-and-tear they suffer, I do tend to open up the pocketbook a little more for RBs."

It’s insane because not only is there contracts going down But their draft stocks too

Bill Belichick devalued the RB position and he also is also responsible for the TE position being valued so much now.

It’s a hard philosophy to come to terms with. Take Seattle for example. Kenneth Walker coming out as a premiere back last year, and Seattle drafted another one in Zach Charbonnet to optimize the attack. If you saw Seattle make that pick 10 years ago, you would’ve been astounded at the idiocy of it. In the modern day, when backs are becoming less and less important as a single unit, it makes sense. It’s just sad to see that running backs are becoming less important, I always loved watching explosive runs.

The last time the team with the leading rusher won the Super Bowl was 25 years ago when Terrell Davis and the Broncos did it. The last team to lead the league in rushing AND win the Super Bowl were the 85 Bears.

I think that the RBs who will see success are guys like Christian Mccaffrey. The WR in running back clothing. If you can catch passes at a true WR level and not just be "good for a running back" the value is there.

The dual threat example is crazy because the ravens treated lamar like a running back during their negotiations.

Pats win SBs without paying RBs every team is FINALLY catching on 🤣🤣

This is the best summarization I have seen about this entire ordeal and probably the most well-spoken opinion about it won't lie

Both you & FlemLo talking about this within hours of each other made my day.

At least some Runningbacks are being paid, we dont talk about the extinct Fullback.

As a Chiefs fan, I hope this lets dual threat RBs shine more and provide a service, like how TE's become more serviceable as catchers and not just blockers. Having someone in the backfield like McKinnon who is an obvious passing threat is so much better than just a flat runner. It's one of the big reasons Jamaal Charles was so good. I want RBs to adapt to the change so they can remain paid and in good service to their teams, because bell cows aren't doing it anymore and it's too risky to pay heavily into your only big runner when we're now paying heavily into o-linemen, QBs, and now secondaries.

Tree you better preach.... Also major props for the Stakes Is High plug

"The success of the rushing game is mainly developed in the trenches" Me, a Rams fan who watched the team crumble when nearly the entire starting O-Line got injured: "YOU DON'T SAY"

The crazy thing is that if current Josh Jacobs played 20 years, he ago would simply be nothing special among the RBs of that time.

Quarterback success is also dependent on the o-line. Offense in general all comes down to blocking.

Insightful, thoughtful video. Great job.

A few decades down the line, there is a possibility that the NFL (and football as a whole) will grow complacent with pass heavy approaches, leaving linebackers/strong safeties less prepared for a run heavy approach. It will probably be this moment where heavy run approaches could stun some DCs and their systems which will be more focused on the pass rather than the run.

With great power, comes great injury’s and low career lifespan

I know you mentioned Lamar Jackson as one of the big dual threat QBs to really get the game shaken up but let's not forget the QB I think that started that trend - Michael Vick - whether on Atlanta or Philly, that guy all through his career was explosive and unpredictable. Could make plays whether ahead or behind including some of those responsible for the second miracle at the Meadowlands.

The problem with the NFL is that certain positions get the lying share of the cap space including DE, primadonna WR’s and obviously QB’s and the rest have to make due with less. It is a making of their own doing. If a salary cap is permissible then a top 3 cap would solve the problem. This would limit the QB and two other players to a % of the overall cap which would leave more money for the other players. If the top 3 was set at 70 million rather than 90-100 million then the team couldn’t feasibly pay a QB 50 million per year.

Another great video that REALLY needed to be made. You may not be the first one to cover this subject but the more videos there are saying it just drives the point home further that running backs deserve better. But Tree, bro, I know you're busy, but is NFL Sportsball 2022-2023 ever gonna have its own playlist?

I'll be interested to see 5-10 years from now if there's a shortage of runningbacks in the draft. I'd imagine the most talented high school football players see stuff like this and try to change positions. If you're a receiving back, screw that just be a receiver. If you've got any ability to throw a football, be a dual threat QB. If you can't do either or those, try being a linebacker.

The rushing game is still important due to needing to keep the defense honest and the need to get yards in the compressed red zone. I hate to see running backs go through this. Those who can do a lot more than just run the ball will last the longest in the NFL henceforth.

The unfortunate truth is that the rookie contracts last longer than the average career for RB's and those first 3-5 years tend to be a RB's prime years. It just doesn't make sense to give out a second contract unless you're Derrick Henry or Nick Chubb.

I miss Lamar Miller. Bro was a beast. He is the only player to ever have 2 97+ yard rushing touchdowns. It's a shame he got injured.

I don't know much about football but I was thought that a good offensive line was the basic core of the team. It can make an average QB good and a good QB great. Im thinking about Andrew Luck getting beat up. This also applied to RB's. They got to be careful about who there traded to. They think that they can do it on your own. Considering the injuries maybe it should be a rotational like starting pitchers in base ball. Have a couple starting RB's. Having a good ground game is best when your ahead to burn time off the clock.

Better count my blessings now as a Giants fan that I got to see a healthy season for Saquon, because it’s definitely going to hurt once he walks.

you should remember that when Bell left the playoff game vs the Patriots the Steelers were cooked despite having AB and Ben. He was the best offensive player on that team.

I just have to say, great video as always but I definitely appreciate the instrumentals you use. To see a UTree video over a J Dilla beat is pretty amazing. Keep it up sir!

A good offensive line is the most underrated part of football.

i understand that the game is very pass heavy as of late (until defenses adjust in the near future) but the RUN still sets up the pass. im ashamed the giants wont just pay up and keep saquon at least for 2 years.

Great video covering something I saw but didn't really notice, so busy marveling at the golden era of QBs, almost all of them incredibly mobile.

Great video I really enjoyed watching.

Best solution to the issue I see is increasing RB rookie scale contracts and make the tag for RBs higher. If teams want to treat them as entirely replaceable, make the team pay the player while their still good. Teams benefit because they can still draft the old guys replacement every 4 years, RBs get the money they deserve while they are deserving of it.

The running back as a position is caught in the in-between phase of American football's evolution and GMs aren't really sure how to address it. As the sport at the professional level becomes more and more like Canadian football like the collegiate game has (the Air Raid and nickel defense are practically CFL schemes retooled for 11-man, 4 down ball), running backs and tight ends will see their roles on the team and consequently their pay change as they, I predict, evolve into the Canadian slotback position

as someone who doesn’t know much about football and the RB being my favorite position, this video did a great job

Another video where I learned a lot. Thank you. Well done.

The only organic fix might just be to let more good young players play other positions, if you lower the supply of good running backs maybe the demand increases down the line.

They aren’t required to win. Haven’t been for a decade+ If you are a great running back, after a contract, if you have the ability, switch to receiver. It’ll extend your career and get you more money.

The local radio host in Detroit, Mike Valenti, is constantly saying “we don’t pay running backs.” Too bad it didn’t make it into the video.

What people aren’t talking about is that Zeke held out of training camp to bully the Cowboys into giving him a big contract in the first place. So blame that bloated contract on Zeke, not Jerry Jones. I remember following that story during the 2019 offseason, and hopefully this clears things up for people who are talking about his contract.

I completely understand the risk and why people are hesitant to pay Running Backs. However nowadays, the way people go out of their way to tell you how useless the RB position is, you'd think why even have the position at all at this point 🤨🤷🏾‍♂️

A lot of the great RBs hung around for 10+ years back in the day because they had FBs. Emmitt Smith being one of them. Maybe it's time to bring that position back. I'm also of the opinion of, get rid of RB position then, only use them for blocking sets, convert them to WRs. But let's be honest, that would cost teams MORE money, which we know owners don't want to pay that ticket. The RBs should get paid. They take some of the most punishment and they are overlooked when they keep drives alive.

No one is saying that the RB position is useless or not important, it is extremely important during a game. The point is that the dropoff from the best RB to the 40th best RB is a whole lot smaller than for QB's, edge rushers, and offensive lineman. It's better to use your money on the other positions.

The thing is, running back haven't gotten any more injury prone, it's that the creampuff rules for receivers and quarterbacks hasn't benefitted the position.

It sucks, but this is what the modern game has led to. The fullback position is already pretty much dead. I wouldn't be surprised if running backs are next.

The running backs will come back when Patrick, Jason, and all the other dual Qbs start to break down faster combing with age. We seen this preview with Michale Vick. The running back will comeback as some sort of security position. Patrick, Jason and the others will either be more pocket qbs or relay more on the running backs. I think we're see a resurgences in the late 2020's of rbs.

And just like that, Eric Dickerson's single season rushing record of 2,105 yard is officially out of reach. A handful of HalfBacks like Terrell Davis, Adrian Peterson, and Barry Sanders had a shot at breaking it but now that the game has changed the record is safe.

The only way to fix this is to either undo all the rules that made passing so much more efficienct (which the NFL will never do) or theres an offensive rennaissance throughout the league like when the West Coast offense was born. I thought we were seeing that with Todd Gurley and the Rams when McVay created an unstoppable juggernaut, but then Belichick met them in the super bowl and revealed to everyone exactly how to beat the system, and ever since it has gone away again.

I do get why teams act that way…HOWEVER some of these guys are way too good and way too important to there team to experience this level of disrespect. For example Henry ekeler and Saquon are way too valuable to their respective teams they suck without them.

Did you stop to wonder why "Beast Mode isn't even featured on this list"? Because he should be... the list is wrong. He made $7,000,000 in 2013 when the Seahawks won the super bowl. Instead they put Percy Harvin who isn't even a running back, he's a wide receiver.

This feels like the 3 point revolution in the NBA.

I think you need to look at the superbowl winners of the last 10 years. You have to go all the way back to 2014 to see a side with a genuinely good running back who was instrumental to them winning/getting to the superbowl.

The problem is the running back is the only position left that is subject to hard hits. You can’t hit receivers or QBs anymore. Why pay high dollar to a position that statistically has the highest chance of injury? It sucks but from a business mindset it makes sense🤷‍♂️

I think the biggest problem isn't so much that you don't need a good run game (because you still do, just ask the Bills) but rather that you don't need a great RB to have a good enough run game to win. The Andy Reids, Kyle Shanahans, and Josh McDaniels of the world have figured out that it is a lot easier to scheme a bad RB a 4 yards gain than it is to scheme a bad WR open. This is because they have found 'money' plays and play combos that a defense can't reasonably defend if they want to have a chance of not getting utterly blown up by a potential play action pass. Defenses are hamstrung to the point where even a mediocre back can get 4.5 Y/A if he can hit a hole quickly and his OL holds up for him. Meanwhile, the RBs that don't have a good enough OL will still struggle just as hard regardless of their talent bc no one can move through Javon Hargrave half a second after getting a football shoved in his chest. TL:DR; why have great back when ok back do trick?

Tree there is another RB that isn't mentioned that could be in a franchise tag or holdout situation. JK Dobbins of the Ravens. But what bothers me about that is he hasn't played a full season and wants a bigger contract. He needs to earn that. Look he's a good player but he has to play a full season in order to get a new deal.

Maybe there's a solution in reducing the possible years on a running back's rookie deal? Like if they have a great first year or two you have to start paying them much earlier or at least using franchise tags on them right away. It would make the low draft round running back farming that we see much less effective at least.