We’re just a few weeks into the 2026 NFL season, and the running backs are absolutely coming out swinging! We’ve already got a whopping **18** guys tearing it up on the ground, all on pace to smash that magical 1,000-yard rushing mark. That number should make every defensive coordinator in the league seriously sweat.
The Ground Game is Back, Baby!
Remember when everyone was screaming ‘pass first, pass often’ in the NFL? Felt like workhorse backs were getting phased out, didn’t it? Well, the tide has officially turned, and the numbers don’t lie. Over the five years before this recent surge, we saw only about 9.6 rushers hit 1,000 yards each season. But in the last four seasons, that jumped to a solid average of 15! Yeah, the 17-game schedule helps slightly, but 18 guys on pace through just Week 3? That’s a full-blown revolution. We’re talking familiar faces, sure, but new studs like Kyle Monangai, Bhayshul Tuten, and Cam Skattebo are putting the league on notice. Even Saquon Barkley is close.
This isn’t just a gut feeling. TruMedia data through Week 3 of 2026 is crystal clear. Teams average 61.5 offensive plays per game, down from 63.1 over the last decade. Designed quarterback runs have dropped precipitously over the past five years. QBs like Lamar Jackson still scramble, but those opportunities funnel to running backs. Last season’s 545.0 pass attempts per team was the *lowest* in a decade. The percentage of run plays? It’s been rising every year since 2019, with only one hiccup in 2023. This is a deliberate shift.
Why Defenses Are Getting Gashed
So, what’s sparking this epic comeback for the feature back? A huge factor is what CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco discussed: the “Vic Fangio effect.” His defensive philosophy, pushing that two-high safety look, has taken over the league. It’s designed to limit explosive plays, and it’s worked to a point. Last season saw the fewest explosive plays since 2017. Defenses are basically saying, “Fine, take your small gains, we dare you to get impatient and make a mistake throwing deep.” But here’s the kicker: if you’re pulling guys out of the box, putting fewer or lighter bodies up front, then running the football becomes the ultimate counterpunch. Offenses are just taking what’s given to them.
Then there’s the ongoing saga of offensive line play. We hear the narrative constantly: “not enough quality offensive tackles.” But the college landscape, with the transfer portal and NIL deals, is having a two-fold impact on the pros. Sometimes, a change of scenery and new resources *help* players get better coaching. Other times, maybe that consistency isn’t there. Regardless, offensive minds are finding ways to make their O-lines effective in the run game, and it’s paying off big time.
This isn’t some fleeting fad, folks. We’re witnessing a real, undeniable shift in the NFL. The ground game is roaring back to life, forcing every team to rethink their strategy. Can defenses adjust and stop these feature backs before they run wild? Or are we in for a season where the biggest plays come from pounding the rock? You better believe I’ll be glued to every game, watching this unfold. It’s gonna be epic!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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