Jahmyr Gibbs is officially the highest-paid running back in NFL history, and if you are not paying attention, you are missing the biggest shift in league value in years. This week saw three massive deals struck for elite running backs, proving that some teams finally realized the pendulum swung way too far on devaluing these game-changing players.
The Big Backs Get Their Bags, Finally!
This week was all about the running backs. Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson locked in a three-year, $66.75 million deal with $51.5 million guaranteed, a contract that could hit $75 million. Then Thursday morning, Jonathan Taylor, the beast from the Indianapolis Colts, signed a two-year, $44 million extension. But the real headline grabber came later on Thursday: the Detroit Lions signed Jahmyr Gibbs to a three-year deal worth $67.5 million, with the potential to earn up to $75.75 million, including $51.5 million guaranteed according to ESPN. Yeah, you read that right. Gibbs is now the highest paid running back in the entire NFL. These are big numbers for these guys, no doubt, but here’s the kicker: compared to the top receivers, these are still incredible values.
Elite RB Impact vs. WR Payouts: The Numbers Don’t Lie
Look, we all know receivers get paid, and they should, but the numbers this week make you scratch your head. Zay Flowers with the Baltimore Ravens just signed a four-year, $140 million extension, with $108 million guaranteed. Flowers is good, absolutely. But at $35 million a season, he’s making about 55% more per season than Gibbs at $22.5 million. Let’s compare production: Flowers racked up 2,388 yards and 10 touchdowns over the last two seasons. Gibbs, on the other hand, averaged 1,884 yards from scrimmage and 19 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Yeah, Gibbs had more touches, but if you have watched him play, you know he is a big-play threat every single snap. His talent is undeniable. When you consider the overall impact, is Flowers really impacting games *that much more* than Gibbs, Robinson, or Taylor? It is a tough sell, especially when you see Alec Pierce also got a four-year, $114 million deal this offseason. The league is starting to figure out this imbalance, but it has not fully clicked yet.
The “RBs Don’t Matter” Myth Is Dying
The old argument that running backs do not matter? That has always been a straw man. Nobody actually believes that. What happened was teams scaled back investment, only drafting elite prospects high and holding back on huge second contracts. While running backs haven’t fully caught up to wide receiver money, especially when you compare the trio of star backs to Flowers or Pierce, these new deals are a massive step. Superstars like Gibbs, Robinson, and Taylor are legit offense carriers. Their teams know it, and honestly, they got them for a relative steal compared to what other positions demand. It is even more critical now as the league shifts back to multiple tight end sets, a move designed to tear apart defenses built for spread passing attacks. The Miami Dolphins were ahead of the curve here, refusing to trade De’Von Achane and signing him to a very reasonable deal. The league is starting to wake up.
What does this mean for the rest of the league? Get ready to see more teams pony up for their elite backs. The value is just too clear to ignore any longer.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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