The NFL has to do something about RB compensation

[xwalker]

About 10,000,000 people in the US are capable of being engineers, military personnel, and firemen.

About 20 are capable of being an above average running back in the NFL.

Compensation is reflected by the ability to produce more money than you make and how difficult it is to replace you.

Captain Obvious II

A 1st grader understands why NFL players get paid big money.

It's not fair that I'm smarter than you but it's reality.

 

[HungryLion]

Never said you did. That's what the ? means, Its a question.

And actually the vets might go for it.

https://www.___GET_REAL_URL___/s/ww...25/sports/nfl-draft-rookie-contracts.amp.html

http://www.footballperspective.com/even-nfl-veterans-realize-they-screwed-over-rookies

The vets just won't be willing to give up anything of importance to do it and the owners would ask for A LOT to give it up.

Here an article on how contracts would look without the rookie cap. It would go back to the days of one bad pick, especially in the 1st round and even more in the top 10, would set the franchise back 3-5 years.

https://www.___GET_REAL_URL___/s/ww...ook-if-the-rookie-wage-scale-didnt-exist/amp/

I personally don’t think you have to necessarily get rid of the rookie contract structure. There definitely would be a lot of other affects from that. That would affect every player’s contract.

I’m not really sure what the solution is to be honest. But it’s also one of the reasons I don’t begrudge players who hold out. Especially RB’s.

 

[jsb357]

The NFL has to do something about RB compensation

No it doesn't

 

[Brooksey]

RB's drafted in the 1st or 2nd round should be compensated differently as far as length of rookie contract goes. They should have the option to take a two year deal.

 

[G2]

If a RB can play at a high level past their rookie contract than they already get what the market is set at according to their level of play. It's not like other positions with more longevity.
RBs have one of the lowest average of years. This is why other positions get paid more in general.

 

[BrassCowboy]

Like others say, any special treatment for RBs will just open a whole can of worms.

I am sure RBs will be ok with what they are making otherwise consider a different position earlier in life

 

[LittleD]

I'm not talking about lots of running backs.

I'm talking about elite running backs, especially those drafted in the top few picks that will immediately start and be a huge percentage of their team's offense.

Nope...don't need em, don't want em, can't afford em. One contract and then to the trash heap please.

 

[dckid]

Full disclosure, I'm a running back guy. Love the running game. Emmitt is my favorite Cowboy of all time. Most of my all-time favorite football players are running backs.

That said, the NFL has to do something for these guys contractually. The system is WAY unfair for them.

Most draft picks that become great players take a good while to get there, often 2-3 years or more at the pro level. Then, they're rewarded with a HUGE contract after their rookie deal, and often another huge contract or two after after that one.

But not running backs.

Highly-drafted running backs are generally elite the moment they arrive at rookie OTAs. They're already about as good as they'll ever be, and they step right in and dominate from day one.

Gurley, Peterson, Sanders, Gore, George, Emmitt, Barkley, Zeke, McCoy, Andrews, Dickerson, McCutcheon, Campbell, Sims, Payton, and Dorsett (when Landry finally got over himself and put Tony in for good). There are hundreds of examples of them.

And now Zeke Elliott, who, off-field issues aside, is the most impactful player on the team and has been since his opening game. He's usually the best player on the field in any given game.

The league needs to address the fact that rookie running backs are WAY underpaid compared to the impact other players have initially, and the second contract potential those players have in comparison to running backs.

Often, these backs are a huge percentage of their teams offense, but take such a beating early that they go downhill quickly and never get paid like other players. They're the cheap help, although they are ultra critical to team success.

That needs to change because I don't want to see the best young running backs youth football insist on being converted to other positions over earning potential. Used to be that the best players wanted to play running back. Now, it's like financial death sentence.

Perhaps some sort of cap exception to pay them better? A different rookie scale for running backs to go with it? It's got to be simple to address.

Save the position. Pay these guys.

I like your sentiment, but it just does not match modern football. In the early 2000's teams figured out that it's more efficient, better for offenses to pass the ball. You score more and you are more successful if you pass the football.
It's a QB driven league no matter how you slice it. Yes there is still a place for Zeke, Gurley, Barkley,etc, but the RB position is more replaceable than ever. I would recommend a recent really good podcast, The Ringer NFL show, they cover this issue very clearly. They talk about the nostalgia of the position. They talk about how running is less efficient than passing. Nowdays teams derive value from the RB position by having RB's than are also great receivers.
Melvin Gordon example..... Gordon is a great RB for the new NFL, but last year when he was injured his replacement was just as effective, if not more so. They talked about Hunt when he got cut by the Chiefs, Spencer Ware & Williams were more efficient pass catchers. ( smaller sample size, but a valid point).

Just look around the league, smart teams don't overpay for a commodity type position. I love Zeke, but the problem started when we drafted him. I hate drafting players in the top 5 who I would not want to give a second contract. I would much rather give a second contract to almost every other postion, QB,DE, OT, WR, OG, LB, CB, Safety then lastly a RB.
When its time to re sign Zeke, I would prefer to save money and sign or draft a
Carson, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones, Connor,Jordan Howard, Phillip Lindsay, Marlon Mack, Tevin Coleman, Devonta Freeman, etc, etc, etc.. The list goes on and on,,,

 

[pancakeman]

You guys saying RBs should have shorter contracts at the draft are just setting them up to be drafted much later and thus make less money!

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I personally don’t think you have to necessarily get rid of the rookie contract structure. There definitely would be a lot of other affects from that. That would affect every player’s contract.

I’m not really sure what the solution is to be honest. But it’s also one of the reasons I don’t begrudge players who hold out. Especially RB’s.

I understand this. I mean, I don't begrudge them either, for wanting to make money but I can not say that I agree with Zeke here. He signed a contract and he's been treated better then a lot of guys who play the same position so play out your deal and then, if you want to make more, go find a team who will pay you more. If that isn't a reality, then the market has spoken. It's not like Zeke has been playing for Bell money. Not trying to say that this is what you are saying in your post, just trying to convey a point.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

RB's drafted in the 1st or 2nd round should be compensated differently as far as length of rookie contract goes. They should have the option to take a two year deal.

If this were ever to happen, RBs would never get drafted in the 1st or 2nd. If I were an organization, I would never spend a high pick on a player that I only knew I would have for a season or two.

 

[Doc50]

No it doesn't

RB skills are a gift, and anyone with even a bit of that gift discovers its rewards at a young age.
There's no feeling like it, and there will always be plenty of talent willing to run the ball for minimum wage.

Hell, I'd suit up right now for a chance to do it again.
Hmmmm.....maybe an over-65 geezer football league. Nobody would pay to see that; might get some dollars from the medical profession, which would surely be reciprocated.
League would probably die of attrition in about 3 weeks.

The attrition I see simply from company softball games is pitiful enough.

These young studs in the pro's are livin a dream, but they know that they need to get it while they can -- all victory and beauty is fleeting.
And the proverbial brightest candle burns out the soonest.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

The NFL is actually driving this entire thing. There is a reason that RBs are devalued and it's not because throwing is better, per say. There is a reason Darrell Royal once said, "There are three things that can happen when you pass the ball and two of them are bad". Running the ball could still be effective, even more then passing but, the game has changed and it continues to change. The rules changes are driving the direction of the game and is really more responsible for the devaluation of the RB position and really, even the role Defense plays in the game. I hate it, to be honest but thats what the game is today and it's no accident.

Bottom line, the league has the power to change this but they won't. They like Offense and scoring and they value it over things like Defense and a Power Running game. That's the truth of it.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

RB skills are a gift, and anyone with even a bit of that gift discovers its rewards at a young age.
There's no feeling like it, and there will always be plenty of talent willing to run the ball for minimum wage.

Hell, I'd suit up right now for a chance to do it again.
Hmmmm.....maybe an over-65 geezer football league. Nobody would pay to see that; might get some dollars from the medical profession, which would surely be reciprocated.
League would probably die of attrition in about 3 weeks.

The attrition I see simply from company softball games is pitiful enough.

These young studs in the pro's are livin a dream, but they know that they need to get it while they can -- all victory and beauty is fleeting.
And the proverbial brightest candle burns out the soonest.

I have to agree. When I was a young kid, every team I ever played on, tried to turn me into a QB but I always loved running the ball. I mean, it is what it is.

 

[Reid1boys]

id rather see them do something about the ridiculous QB salaries. Hey fix that position, and it will allow teams to pay RB better. Bottom line is no way in hell will a single position have special rules in regards to salary cap.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

RB's drafted in the 1st or 2nd round should be compensated differently as far as length of rookie contract goes. They should have the option to take a two year deal.

Not sure I would for this far but how about removing the 5th year option for any 1st rounders or if they ( rb drafted at any round) start let's say 75% of their games the first 2 years, they become a free agent after their 3rd year.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

id rather see them do something about the ridiculous QB salaries. Hey fix that position, and it will allow teams to pay RB better. Bottom line is no way in hell will a single position have special rules in regards to salary cap.

I don't know. I mean, I think that we could see something special worked out around QBs. They are costing way too much and pretty much wrecking the cap. I could see something different being done there but I don't see it for any other position. I agree with you there.

 

[OmerV]

I see the OP's point, but I don't think there is any way the NFL can do anything about it. If the NFL were to determine RBs should be paid more because of the risk of injury that would open it up to every player making the same claim. After all, every NFL player is one hit away from a career ending injury, or even some permanent physical damage. And for the NFL to publicly declare that any NFL player is being put in peril could open the door to civil claims. It's a hornet's nest the NFL will not open.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

id rather see them do something about the ridiculous QB salaries. Hey fix that position, and it will allow teams to pay RB better. Bottom line is no way in hell will a single position have special rules in regards to salary cap.

I agree here......just my take, but I would exempt their salaries from the Cap. But to avoid bidding wars that would further escalate their pay, make sure there's a ceiling on what a team starting QB can make based on percentages (10-12%) of their payroll.

 

[Doc50]

Not sure I would for this far but how about removing the 5th year option for any 1st rounders or if they ( rb drafted at any round) start let's say 75% of their games the first 2 years, they become a free agent after their 3rd year.

I could certainly see the the next CBA addressing the length of rookie contacts as a way to mediate this.

The average length of career by position, combined with the average years before starting by position, therefore adjusting the length of rookie contracts so that a more fair percentage of the average career is discounted.