In case you haven’t heard, the NFL has a running back problem. After several top bell-cows failed to get long-term contract extensions this offseason, an outcry from running backs across the league took place on social media about the abuse of the position. Per Spotrac, running backs on average, are earning less today than they did in 2005, even though the cap has gone up drastically in that 18 year period.
Not only are they making less as a position group than in years past, the average running back now makes about $400,000 less than the average kicker. In 2005, eight running backs made up 10 percent or more of their team’s payroll — no running back today makes up more than 5%.
