Don’t call it a comeback, but the running back position underwent a resurgence in the 2024 NFL offseason.
Just a year ago in the 2023 offseason, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard all failed to come to terms with their respective teams on long-term extensions with each settling for the franchise tag, and there had only been one running back to win the league’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in the last five seasons: Derrick Henry in 2020.
This year, Jacobs, Barkley and Pollard all found multi-year contracts in free agency, as did many others at the position, and San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey took home OPOY honors after leading the NFL in rushing yards (1,459) and scrimmage yards (2,023) while co-leading the league in touchdowns (21) along with Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert. San Francisco naturally rewarded CMC with a two-year, $38 million extension that runs his previously running back-leading average-per-year salary up $3 million, from $16 million APY to $19 million APY.
Notable running backs to sign multi-year contracts this offseason
Christian McCaffrey re-signed on a two-year, $38 million extension with 49ersDerrick Henry signed a two-year, $16 million contract with RavensJosh Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with PackersSaquon Barkley signed a three-year, $37.75 million contract with EaglesRhamondre Stevenson signed a four-year, $36 million extension with PatriotsAustin Ekeler signed a four-year, $24.5 million contract with CommandersD’Andre Swift signed a three-year, $24 million contract with BearsTony Pollard signed a three-year, $21.75 million contract with TitansJoe Mixon signed a two-year, $19.75 million extension with Texans
The running back position may never hold as large of an importance as it once did in an NFL now geared toward the passing game, but the 2023 season proved that when utilized…
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