We have a very interesting situation brewing around the NFL and Indianapolis Colts team owner Jim Irsay just lit the flame. Running backs have been expressing their discontent over their disrespectfully low salaries all offseason long, seeing Pro Bowl backs like Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott unable to find a contract that suits their needs.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Three running backs were franchise tagged this offseason. That alone is an unusually high number for the tag, which indicates teams are getting a bargain. Otherwise, they wouldn’t use it.
Josh Jacobs refused to show up to Las Vegas Raiders training camp after leading the NFL in rushing, yet he can’t get an offer to his liking. The Raiders are instead hoping to get the 25-year-old All-Pro to sign for $10.09 million, the amount for running backs who get franchise tagged.
The New York Giants were just embroiled in that same battle with two-time Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley, who also was not happy about being tagged. The G-Men enticed the 26-year-old Bronx native to sign on the dotted line while being offered only a chance to make $900K more than the original tender.
So, in other words, nothing has changed in the running back market. Teams are still refusing to pay some of their best players top dollar, instead setting aside their funds for other positions, like quarterback, receiver, and pass rushers.
It’s a clear concern for every single ball carrier, not just in the NFL now, but for anyone who ever hopes to make it to the pros. Athletes are actually considering playing other positions from an early age just because the NFL can’t get their pay structure right.
Yet, here we have one of the NFL’s 32 owners who apparently is tone-deaf over the whole situation. That individual is Mr. Irsay.
Here’s his latest tweet.
Was it inappropriate when Christian McCaffrey signed a four-year, $64 million contract extension from the Carolina Panthers in 2020? Or is it inappropriate that kickers average a higher salary than NFL running backs?
The NFL’s leading rusher from 2021 is in the final year of his contract and is already angling for an extension, yet Irsay’s comments indicate Jonathan Taylor likely won’t be happy with the results of their negotiations.
Growing up, many players idolized the greatest running backs of our generation. Seeing players like Barry Sanders run to daylight inspired a whole legion of fans. But now the NFL is saying we don’t want the faces of our league to be paid for their contributions. Leave that money for the quarterbacks.
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Jonathan Taylor’s agent responds to Jim Irsay
It didn’t take long for Jonathan Taylor’s agent to respond to the Colts’ owner’s tweet. Here’s the statement.
