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Pittsburgh Steelers running back, Najee Harris, has spoken out against the treatment of running backs in the NFL, amid the Saquon Barkley situation.
Harris expressed his frustration with the lack of security and respect given to players in his position, contrasting it with the massive long-term deals that other positions receive.
The running back position has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years due to the physically demanding nature of the role, which often leads to injuries and shorter career spans.
Despite being integral to their teams’ success, many top running backs are finding it difficult to secure long-term contracts that offer them the stability and security they desire.
Saquon Barkley, a highly talented and explosive running back, was unable to reach a long-term deal with the Giants before the franchise tag deadline. As a result, he signed a one-year contract, leaving him without the desired security that comes with a multi-year deal.
Harris pointed out that Barkley’s role in the Giants’ offense is significant, accounting for almost “30 percent” of their offensive production. He believes that the contract Barkley received is not commensurate with the value he brings to the team.
Speaking on behalf of running backs, Harris lamented the lack of security in their current contracts. While players in other positions enjoy lucrative long-term deals, running backs often face less favorable setups that fail to provide them with financial security in case of injury or decline in performance.
“It’s like, man, what is the security that we have? We don’t have no security right now,” Harris expressed his concerns, highlighting the precarious situation faced by running backs.
He further emphasized that running backs are used as workhorses for their teams, but once they reach a certain age or sustain injuries, they are often cast aside in favor of younger and healthier options. This has led to feelings of exploitation and disrespect among many players at the position.
In response to the perceived injustice, Harris, along with several running backs, recently initiated a text chain and organized a Zoom call over the weekend to discuss their shared concerns.
As the league evolves and becomes more analytically driven, teams seem to be more cautious when it comes to investing heavily in running backs, given the injury risks they face and the potential for decline in performance over time.