Entering his 14th season in the NFL, Adrian Peterson has seen the evolution of the running back position. Running backs now line up all over the field, including at wide receiver. Yet, the position appears to be devalued by teams in regards of pay.
Recent contract negotiations with workhorse running backs have illustrated teams are hesitant in paying star backs. Teams are replacing them with less proven but cheaper options.
Speaking with TMZ Sports, Peterson expressed his displeasure with the valuation of running backs.
“It’s disrespectful to be honest with you. It really is.”
In 2011, Peterson signed a seven-year, $96 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings. At the time it was the highest-paid contract for a running back in league history.
Every other position market value grows, but only four running backs have had a bigger deal than Peterson’s in the last nine years. The list consists of Christian McCaffrey (2020), Ezekiel Elliott (2019), Todd Gurley (2018) and Le’Veon Bell (2019).
Elliott held out of training camp and preseason last year, looking for an extension with the Dallas Cowboys. Ultimately, the Cowboys gave in and paid him with a six-year deal, $90 million extension one day before the regular season kicked off.
Gurley inked his new deal in 2018 with two more years of his rookie deal left. The Los Angeles Rams released Gurley this offseason before he played a down on his new deal.
Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after the Pittsburgh Steelers placed the franchise tag on him for a second straight year. Pittsburgh opted to let Bell become a free agent in 2019 after the two sides failed to agree to a long-term deal. He signed with the New York Jets to a $52.5 million, four-year deal.
One player not listed is Melvin Gordon. He unsuccessfully held out last season before he reported to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 4. Despite leading the Chargers in rushing touchdowns, no deal came to and he signed a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos in March.
Premier running backs struggle to get paid. However, the 2017 draft class of running backs is a group whom could break down the pay barrier. McCaffrey already got paid. Cook, Alvin Kamara, Joe Mixon, Leonard Fournette, Marlon Mack, Aaron Jones and Chris Carson could all be in line for big paydays.
“These young core of backs are really changing the game for the better,. I feel like you’re going to continue to get guys like that, that’s going to help raise the value of the running back position.”
Meanwhile, there’s a perception running backs wind down at the turn of age 30.
Peterson didn’t see the duration of his deal with Minnesota. The Vikings released him in 2018 as he struggled with injuries and production after he turned 30 years of age.
But, he has a resurgence with the Washington Redskins after pit stops with New Orleans and Arizona. Peterson has led the Redskins in rushing yards and touchdowns each of the past two seasons. He’s rushed for 1,940 yards and 12 touchdowns in that span.
Peterson believes he and Frank Gore, who is entering his 16th season in the NFL, are doing their best to debunk the notion.
“I think the change is going to come. Me and Frank Gore continue to show guys, ‘Hey, we are valuable. We can have 10, 14-year careers as well, so value us as well like you would value a quarterback, you know?'”
With that said, only one running back was chosen in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.
