The Decline of the Running Back Market: A Battle for Survival

The running back market in the NFL has been affected by the analytics community and the league's focus on saving cap dollars. The constant supply of talented running backs from college makes the position interchangeable, leading teams to prioritize spending on positions that provide more surplus value. The success of coaches like Mike Shanahan, who have shown they can plug any running back into their system, has further devalued the position. While veteran running backs are frustrated with their financial situation, it is unlikely to change due to the salary cap and the availability of young, underpaid players.