Running backs have no leverage

It is not exactly new that running backs have little value in the NFL. For at least the last decade they rarely get taken in the first round of the draft, and rarely get big contracts in free agency. The position has a massive supply of young, fresh legs coming up through the draft each year, and carries arguably the most injury risk.

But the current crop of running backs is just now learning how little value they have in today’s NFL.

The Vikings’ Dalvin Cook just got released despite completing his fourth straight 1,000-yard rushing season. Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott

was released and remains unsigned, as do veterans Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette.

“To see people like that get released, especially in my position, it’s like, damn, what did they do?” the Steelers’ Najee Harris said. “It’s eye-opening, for sure.”

The Chargers’ Austin Ekeler, who led the league in touchdowns last year (18) and was eighth in total yards (1,637), requested a trade and kicked and screamed for a new contract. The Chargers gave him a measly $1.75 million in performance incentives, and he was grateful for it.

“The Chargers did give me something in the middle, some type of incentive,” Ekeler said. “I am appreciative of that because they didn’t have to do that.”

And the top three running backs to hit free agency — Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs — are hitting a dead end on long-term contracts. They each got the franchise tag for $10.1 million, and have until July 17 to sign a long-term deal, or else they can only play this year under the franchise tag. So far the negotiations haven’t gotten anywhere, and Barkley and Jacobs haven’t signed their franchise tags yet, threatening holdouts. The Giants and Raiders can counter by rescinding the franchise tag at any time and making each player a free agent, where they may not get close to $10.1 million for this year.

Barkley is vaguely threatening a holdout and Jacobs tweeted that he’s making a stand for future running backs.

“Sometimes it’s not about you,” Jacobs said. “We’ve got to do it for the ones after us.”

It’s a noble thought, but Jacobs and Barkley should probably sign their franchise tags soon. They aren’t going to change the economics of their position. And as Le’Veon Bell can attest, a holdout is the best way to end a running back’s career.