Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jonathan Taylor just inked some serious deals, each signing contracts recently that push their annual average to a huge $22 million or more per season. That’s a massive shift in the running back market, and what makes it even crazier? Saquon Barkley, who was literally the *only* guy topping $20 million annually just last season, is absolutely pumped about it, even though his own $20.6 million annual average now ranks below all three.
Remember When RBs Couldn’t Get Paid?
Man, it wasn’t that long ago, was it? We’re talking 2023, just a couple years back, and Saquon Barkley was right there in the thick of it. He was on a Zoom call with other running backs, basically trying to figure out what was up with the “depressed market” for their position. It was grim. These guys are the backbone of so many offenses, yet their contracts just weren’t reflecting their impact. Last season, Barkley himself, with his $20.6 million annual average, was the lone wolf. He was the *only* running back in the entire league pulling in more than $20 million per year. Think about that for a second. *One guy*. It was a wild outlier, showing just how tough the negotiating table was for the position.
“That’s How It’s Supposed to Be”
Now, just like that, the landscape is changing fast. With Robinson, Gibbs, and Taylor all landing deals north of $22 million, it means a huge step forward for the position. And Barkley? He’s not mad his spot at the top of the pay scale got taken. Not one bit. “I love it. That’s how it’s supposed to be,” Barkley declared on Thursday, as reported by Zach Berman of TheAthletic.com. He’s talking about a trend, a movement. He points out how Christian McCaffrey paved the way, then he did it, and now we’ve got these three new heavy hitters. He wants to see *more* guys join the club! For years, every other position seemed to have its top earners pushing the market, but running backs were stuck. Barkley sees this as the position finally “coming back to life.” He’s got nothing but respect for these guys, calling them “helluva players” who make a “lot of impact in games for their teams.” It’s true, isn’t it? Their teams are straight up “different when they’re not on the field.” He’s looking forward to seeing this trend keep going, hoping in the next 5-10 years, those numbers “keep going higher.”
This isn’t just about a few big contracts; it’s about the respect and value of a position many felt was being undervalued. Barkley’s optimism isn’t just for himself, it’s for every running back out there. He believes these guys are deserving, and that impact is finally getting recognized in their paychecks. The question now is, how high can it go? Will this trend truly keep building over the next decade, with even more backs securing generational money? Barkley’s pushing for it, and it’s awesome to see him celebrate it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Pro Football Talk.
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