For years, the NFL backfield felt like a high-risk, low-reward market.
The running back devaluation era has officially reached its breaking point. Powered by historic, market-shattering extensions for Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson and Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs, the NFL backfield is officially back in the big-money business.
Gibbs became the NFL’s highest-paid running back on Thursday, landing a three-year, $67.5 million extension. His deal follows a three-year, $66.75 million payday for Robinson earlier in the week, locking in a combined $102.5 million in guaranteed money between the two stars.
We’ve seen the evolution of running back pay play out all offseason, not just over the last few days.
Plenty of running backs have secured massive paydays recently. Just this offseason, the Chiefs’ Kenneth Walker, Dolphins’ De’Von Achane, Jets’ Breece Hall, Saints’ Travis Etienne and Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor all signed major multi-year deals.
The value is officially back for NFL running backs. The Arizona Cardinals made that clear in this year’s draft, taking Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love No. 3 overall and handing him a contract with $53 million guaranteed.
Love hasn’t played one snap yet in the league, and he has the most guaranteed money in the league at the position. Not only does it show how much of a talent he truly was coming out of South Bend, but how valuable teams are willing to go to bring in a game-changing playmaker.
As of Thursday, Aug. 6, here are the highest annual salaries among NFL running backs, (data courtesy of Spotrac):
Highest Annual Salaries Among Running Backs:
After being selected with the No. 2 overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Jeremiyah Love earned quite the payday before even taking a snap with the league. Love earned a four-year, $53 million rookie deal with the contract being fully guaranteed.
9. Kenneth Walker – $14.35 Million
Walker left the Seattle Seahawks in free agency after helping them win the Super Bowl last season and earning MVP honors in the game. This offseason, Walker signed a three-year, $43 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency with $28.7 million guaranteed.
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8. Breece Hall – $14.50 Million
With plenty of speculation about the New York Jets either trading or franchise tagging running back Breece Hall, both sides came to an agreement earlier in the offseason on a long-term deal. Instead of using the franchise or transition tag, the Jets and Hall agreed on a three-year, $43.5 million deal with $29 million guaranteed.
7. Derrick Henry – $15 Million
Not only has Derrick Henry established himself as one of the league’s most dominant and consistent running backs, but his contract status places him as one of the most valued. He earned himself a two-year, $30 million extension with the Baltimore Ravens last offseason with $25 million guaranteed.
6. De’Von Achane – $16 Million
After entering the league as a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M, De’Von Achane has established himself as one of the league’s most explosive playmakers. Even with a rebuilding Miami Dolphins team, the two sides agreed on a four-year, $64 million deal with $32 million guaranteed.
5. Christian McCaffrey – $19 Million
Christian McCaffrey revived the market value of elite running backs. In 2019, he became just the third player in NFL history to record 1,000 rushing and 1,000 receiving yards in a season. He signed a two-year, $38 million extension with $24 million guaranteed in the 2024 offseason.
4. Saquon Barkley – $20.60 Million
Once Saquon Barkley left the New York Giants in free agency to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles, the market truly once again found its value for the position. Barkley was one of the biggest factors in the team winning Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs.
After winning the Super Bowl, Barkley received a two-year, $41.2 million extension with the Eagles, with $36 million guaranteed.
3. Jonathan Taylor – $22 Million
After establishing himself as one of the league’s most consistent running backs, the Colts once again gave Jonathan Taylor another massive extension. On Thursday morning, Taylor signed a two-year, $44 million deal with $39 million guaranteed.
2. Bijan Robinson – $22.25 Million
The Atlanta Falcons and star running back Bijan Robinson reset the market earlier this week after he signed a historic three-year, $66.75 million extension. He also received $51 million guaranteed, which is now ranked as the third-most guaranteed money in league history for a running back.
1. Jahmyr Gibbs – $22.50 Million
The king of all running backs is officially Detroit Lions star Jahmyr Gibbs.
After securing a massive three-year, $67.5 million extension with $51.5 million guaranteed, Gibbs completely reset the market and established himself as the most valuable back in the sport. His game-changing versatility and elite playmaking make him worth every single penny.
