It’s been tough sledding for NFL running backs in 2023. As opposed to the days of top-tier bell-cow running backs being taken with top picks in the NFL Draft and having a robust market, that well has largely dried up.

With an added emphasis on the passing game, quarterbacks becoming running backs to some extent, and backfield rotations more commonplace across the league, it makes it harder to justify top backs being paid what their production says they should be worth. It’s a tricky slope and one of the biggest talking points around the NFL as training camp begins.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell wrote up an excellent and detailed piece earlier this month on this exact topic. On the first day of Bucs training camp running back Rachaad White discussed the issue of running backs being undervalued.

Giants Saquon Barkley, Chargers Austin Ekeler Have Had Publicized Contract Issues

Giants RB Saquon Barkley – Photo by: USA Today

Recently, Giants running back Saquon Barkley, one of the best at his position, signed a one-year deal worth $11 million, while his quarterback, Daniel Jones, received a four-year, $160 million dollar deal.

Quite the contrast between a two-time Pro Bowl back in Barkley and a quarterback in Jones who – while solid last season – is not exactly a franchise quarterback and lacks a long track record of success.

Along with Barkley, other top backs – with Austin Ekeler of the Chargers leading the way – have recently come together to hold a Zoom meeting to discuss their depressed markets. Ekeler has been particularly vocal about seeing his peers getting paid.

With all of this as a contextual backdrop, Bucs running back Rachaad White had plenty to say about the current situation affecting his position on the first day of training camp Wednesday.

Rachaad White Weighs In On The RB Market

Rachaad White was first asked if he feels that running backs are currently being disrespected as their pocketbooks are not lining up with the stat sheet. 

Bucs RB Rachaad White- Photo by: Adam Slivon/Pewter Report

“I mean, I have a lot to go out there and prove and got to prove, so it is not really affecting me, obviously,” White said. “Of course, I feel bad and sorry for guys like Saquon – things like that. I always felt the best players on whatever team should be paid.

“He’s one of the best players in the league, but it’s tough. I don’t know how to really explain it. I just kind of focus on me and my job and what I’m trying to go out there and do helping the team this season for the Bucs.”

Still, White understands their frustration. As the team’s No. 1 back this season, he may be in a similar rocky boat when his rookie contract is up. 

“Oh yeah, for sure. I can sympathize with them and things like that because if you go out there and persevere together, wouldn’t you get paid?” White said. “At the end of the day, as I see Saquon take that deal, that’s how I am. You see that he loves football, and he wants to play. That’s a great thing to have because I think if he goes out there and plays, he’s going to get an opportunity somewhere.”

Rachaad White Offers Take On The Devaluation Of The RB

For running backs, it is often a case of – to paraphrase a popular Notorious B.I.G. song – Mo Touches, Mo Problems. As they accumulate more carries and mileage, they are tossed to the curb. Perhaps the biggest example of this is Ezekiel Elliott.

Elliott, the fourth overall pick in 2016, had over 300 carries in three of his first four seasons. While his production did dissipate last year with the Cowboys from his All-Pro peak, he still had 876 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns. There should not be a reason he looms as a free agent in late July. The same can be said for Dalvin Cook, who is a free agent despite four consecutive Pro Bowls and 1,000-yard seasons.

The devaluation of running backs has quickly bordered the extreme. Elliott and Cook are each going to be 28 before the season starts, with nothing to suggest that they do not have more to offer a team.

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It’s just tough because I don’t really look too deep into it,” White added. “For me, I’m kind of a simple guy. From what I understand what they were saying, I believe it’s true. ‘Ok, you can do all of this – Pro Bowls and All-Pros, things like that, but when we pay you the money, we’re paying you for what you can bring to us these next – how long the deal is – few years.’ 

“Some of the things I understand, but the biggest thing to me, I’m simple. Is that guy the best player? Is he one of the best players on the team? Is he one of the best players in this league? And if he is, I think, regardless, he should get paid. Yeah, I mean the touches; I see what Nick Chubb [does], and if you go for 2,000-yard seasons, you devalue. But it’s like if he goes for a 2,000-yard season but then goes for 1,500, there’s nothing wrong with that. I remember when I was watching some [running backs] because I do the study, Chris Johnson went for the 2,000-yard season [in 2009], but then the next year he got like 1,400.”

If a running back continues to produce despite a heavy workload, there is a strong argument to be made that they should be paid for what they have brought to the table.

But as Barnwell mentioned in his piece, it is worth noting the cases where running backs were paid and quickly fell off.

“Take the case of Todd Gurley, who was Offensive Player of the Year at age 23, third in that race at age 24, cut after his age-25 season and out of football after his age-26 campaign.

Bucs RB Le’Veon Bell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Gurley’s knee hindered his explosiveness. Devonta Freeman and Alfred Morris fell off after offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan left for another city. David Johnson wasn’t able to stay healthy. Le’Veon Bell wasn’t the same after leaving Pittsburgh. DeMarco Murray wasn’t consistent. Melvin Gordon couldn’t protect the football.”

While it should be more of a case-by-case basis, teams have largely shied away from giving a running back a large contract as it becomes a question of opportunity cost. Plenty of teams, such as the Chiefs taking Isaiah Pacheco in the seventh round, have succeeded by giving the reins to an unproven running back.

However, the contributions of a modern NFL running back should not be fully ignored and discarded. Rachaad White offered one final take on the debate.

“At the end of the day, if he’s one of the best players on the team, yeah, he should be paid,” White said. “Regardless of position.”