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For years, running backs in the NFL have struggled to secure lucrative contracts compared to other skill positions. While players like Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, and Josh Jacobs have signed deals worth at least $12 million annually, the position remains one of the lowest-paid in the league.
Now, two of the game's biggest names, Micah Parsons and Derrick Henry, are voicing their frustration over the financial disparity.
On The Edge with Micah Parsons, Henry expressed his frustration with how running backs are compensated, comparing their salaries to those of kickers.
Running backs deserve more respect, say Parsons and Henry
"It was getting bad for us, bro. We were making the same as kickers... come on now. They were doing us dirty," Henry said. "Hopefully, this year some guys will be able to get paid."
Parsons, despite playing on the defensive side of the ball, quickly backed up Henry's stance. The Cowboys linebacker urged general managers to reevaluate how they value running backs, emphasizing their crucial role in shaping teams. "Y'all's additions help transform teams. GMs, wake up! Let's get the RBs back in the market," Parsons declared. "I look at it as y'all should be equivalent to the position... kicker is outrageous."
The numbers don't lie
In 2023, only seven running backs outside of those on franchise tags earned more than $10 million. Just 10 running backs made more money than Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker, who had an average annual salary of $6.4 million. This year, that number has only risen to 14.
Meanwhile, Henry remains one of the few running backs with a respectable contract. The Ravens signed him to a two-year, $16 million deal in 2024, tying him with D'Andre Swift for the 11th-highest RB salary at $8 million per year.
While top kickers like Butker, Jake Elliott, and Justin Tucker earn over $6 million annually, rising stars like Brandon Aubrey could soon command even higher contracts. Some speculate Aubrey, a two-time Pro Bowler, may soon sur Butker's salary and approach the lower tier of top running back earnings.
For Parsons and Henry, the message is clear running backs are vital to NFL success, and it's time they get paid accordingly.