With the deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term extensions now passed, the real bummer here is that a trio of running backs—Tony Pollard, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs—have no more levers left to pull. There is a bit of finality to the fact that all three will be forced to play under the franchise tag this season (“forced” being the kind of word we should be considerate of, so as not to confuse the plight of the NFL’s most marginalized position with someone struggling to meet the bare necessities).
On this Monday in particular, it feels a little like there is no coming back for the position, which is odd given that two running backs were taken in the top 12 of the 2023 draft. It’s also odd because, as we’ve written before, a receiving back with enough ability to contribute to pass protection and checkdown-pass receptions is more valuable in the NFL than ever before. If a little bit of appreciation was to be shown, if a little nod to an increase in value was on its way, now would have been the time.
NFL running backs have been told by their parents that there will be no dessert until they complete their liver and onions. The position, collectively, has said, “Fine, but we won’t like it.”
