All articles tagged with #running back market
The Indianapolis Colts secured star running back Jonathan Taylor with a two-year extension worth up to $47 million, including $39 million guaranteed and a $15 million signing bonus, keeping him under contract through 2028 and cementing him as the team’s offensive focal point after a season that saw him lead the NFL in carries and rushing TDs.
The Detroit Lions agreed to a three-year extension with Jahmyr Gibbs worth up to $75.75 million, including $51.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL and signaling a reset of the RB market as Gibbs returns from a training-camp hold-in and takes on a larger role after David Montgomery’s departure.
Falcons RB Bijan Robinson signed a three-year extension averaging $22.25 million per year with $51 million guaranteed, a deal that could pressure Detroit to finalize Jahmyr Gibbs’ contract talks; Lions coach Dan Campbell said the move won’t hurt Gibbs’ negotiations, Gibbs has offered only that time will tell, and insiders expect a deal could come in the next few weeks.
Bijan Robinson of the Falcons and Jahmyr Gibbs of the Lions did not practice amid ongoing contract talks, signaling a hold-in as both seek long-term extensions. Robinson’s elite 2025 season (nearly 1,500 rushing yards and 820 receiving yards) could push him past Saquon Barkley’s reported $20 million-per-year range, while Gibbs is also projected to reset RB pay scales. Both players remain under two-year deals with fifth-year options, with teams expected to lock in extensions this offseason.
Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer lays out the top NFL training-camp storylines: Aaron Donald’s potential Rams return and how to balance his workload; Patrick Mahomes’ knee rehab and camp readiness with a careful re‑acclimation to pressure and gameplay; looming shifts in the running back and cornerback markets led by Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Devon Witherspoon, and Christian Gonzalez; ongoing quarterback contract chatter (Mayfield and Lamar Jackson) and the evolving 2024 quarterback class, plus the Vikings’ QB competition and Fernando Mendoza’s Raiders development. He also flags the impact of three new head coaches, the Bengals’ championship ambitions, and a crop of quick-hitters on the Seahawks sale, Packers health, Malik Nabers, Herbert, Shedeur Sanders vs. Watson, Cowboys’ left‑tackle battle, a possible Jaguars renaissance, and the Texans’ potential jump.
Multiple NFL teams, including the Seattle Seahawks, are hesitant to sign Kenneth Walker III at an estimated $15 million per year, as the top running back market heats up. While Giants, Titans, and Commanders show interest, price and cap considerations may deter offers, leaving Seattle to balance re-signing Walker with other extensions and budget concerns. Walker’s free-agent status could shape the Seahawks’ plans for the offseason and draft.
With a Tuesday deadline looming, the Jets must choose between franchising Breece Hall, using the transition tag, or signing a multiyear deal; a franchise tag would cost two first-round picks to sign away Hall, while a transition tag would give the Jets no compensation if he signs elsewhere. A mid-range AAV around $12.8 million could emerge depending on the evolving running back market, influenced by recent deals for peers and free agents.
The NFL franchise tag window opens February 17, with Kenneth Walker III expected to be among the marquee candidates as teams decide which players to lock down before free agency. The piece explains how the tag blocks a top player from long-term free agency, notes last year’s only two tags as a benchmark, and surveys other potential targets like George Pickens, Kyle Pitts, Jaelan Phillips and Trey Hendrickson, highlighting the ongoing question of whether a running back like Walker is worth a big cap hit in a constrained market.
The San Francisco 49ers have extended running back Christian McCaffrey's contract by two years, worth $38 million, keeping him with the team through 2027. This new deal, which includes $24 million guaranteed, raises the running back market value and provides McCaffrey with financial security. The extension also helps manage the 49ers' salary cap, as McCaffrey has proven to be a vital part of their success since his acquisition in 2022.
NFL scouts and executives predict that Saquon Barkley's free-agent deal could range from $8-14 million per year, with most estimating around three years and $30 million. Despite his disappointing production in New York, teams like the Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, and Chicago Bears are expected to be serious suitors, while the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys have interest but may not reach Barkley's price point. The Giants, who opted not to use the franchise tag on Barkley, seem unlikely to match a $10 million offer, signaling a potential departure for the two-time Pro Bowl running back.
The Miami Dolphins are reportedly interested in trading for Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, which could potentially upend the running back market. Taylor has been granted permission to seek a trade by the Colts, and the Dolphins have made offers, although the exact details are unclear. If the Dolphins acquire Taylor, they would likely need to pay him a significant contract extension, potentially shifting the financial trend that has undervalued running backs in recent years. Taylor's impressive stats and the Dolphins' need for a true RB1 make him an attractive target for Miami, and the trade could have implications for the running back market as a whole.
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has requested a trade after not receiving a contract extension from the team. Colts owner Jim Irsay has made controversial comments regarding Taylor, but insists the team has no intentions of trading him. Despite this, Taylor's days in Indianapolis seem to be numbered. Potential landing spots for Taylor include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, and New England Patriots.
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb acknowledges the challenges of the running back market and recognizes that he could face a similar situation next year. Chubb's contract includes a significant increase in salary in 2024, which could put him at risk of being cut if the team decides his cost outweighs his benefit. While there are currently no talks of an extension, the Browns value Chubb's leadership and consider him an important part of the team's culture. However, the running back position offers no guarantees, and the ultimate question for the franchise is whether Chubb's cost justifies his value, especially as they embrace analytics.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler expresses frustration with the depressed market for running backs and calls for answers from team ownership. Ekeler believes that owners are intentionally not paying running backs and suggests that a boycott or holdout may be necessary to bring attention to the issue. He argues that running backs make a significant impact on the game but are not adequately compensated. However, finding a solution is complex, and it would require the league and the players' union to agree on changes such as creating a separate union for running backs or implementing a league-wide fund for their performance.
Austin Ekeler, running back for the Los Angeles Chargers, asked for a trade this offseason due to contract extension issues, but ultimately agreed to stay with the team after they added incentives to his current deal. Ekeler expressed gratitude for the compromise and said he will "bet on myself any day of the week" to determine his future compensation.