Podcast: Why don't Running Backs Get Paid More

[Northern_Blitz]

Thought that the most recent episode of Freakonomics would be interesting to some on here.

There's some people they talk to who are more on Felt's side of this. And other's that are more on Lemming's side.

I enjoyed the episode...but I generally like Freakonomics podcasts.

https://freakonomics.com/podcast/why-dont-running-backs-get-paid-anymore/

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Will give it a listen, I didn't know there was a podcast. I read the book years ago and found it interesting. Before I listen, I would say that

1) Running Back has the quickest, immediate injury risk because of how many times they get tackled per year.
2) Quickest performance fall-off, going from impact player to low-quality performer.
3) The ability to find an impact runner in the later rounds. I'll bet that OL and RB are the two positions where you can find good starters all over the draft.
4) Inability to accurately scout because a college RB with a good line has advantages that they won't have in the NFL.

[NorthCoast]

Will give it a listen, I didn't know there was a podcast. I read the book years ago and found it interesting. Before I listen, I would say that

1) Running Back has the quickest, immediate injury risk because of how many times they get tackled per year. And by who is tackling them, i.e LBs, DEs, DT, bigger safeties.
2) Quickest performance fall-off, going from impact player to low-quality performer. Seen it with too many RBs. Bell, Gurley, more recently Chubb.
3) The ability to find an impact runner in the later rounds. I'll bet that OL and RB are the two positions where you can find good starters all over the draft. Yep, supply and demand.
4) Inability to accurately scout because a college RB with a good line has advantages that they won't have in the NFL.RBs have the fastest learning curve of any of the skill positions. Get ball, find hole, run through hole...

All of this.

[Northern_Blitz]

Will give it a listen, I didn't know there was a podcast. I read the book years ago and found it interesting. Before I listen, I would say that

1) Running Back has the quickest, immediate injury risk because of how many times they get tackled per year.
2) Quickest performance fall-off, going from impact player to low-quality performer.
3) The ability to find an impact runner in the later rounds. I'll bet that OL and RB are the two positions where you can find good starters all over the draft.
4) Inability to accurately scout because a college RB with a good line has advantages that they won't have in the NFL.

I think it's generally a pretty good podcast. Although I tend to only listen to episodes where the topic seems interesting to me. Not as big a fan of the spinoffs they have because some of them seem to be too politically slanted for my state...but "People I mostly admire" also has some good episodes IMO.

Surprisingly, they didn't talk much about point (3), which I think is a huge reason.

There's a guest host who wrote an article about this. And he did have a line about "understanding marginal utility" early, but they didn't drill down on it too much IMO.

They did talk about RBs aging out quickly. And the timeline of the CBA meaning that they're close to the end of their careers by the time a 2nd contract comes, so they aren't a good bet.

I don't think point 4 was mentioned. But maybe I missed it.

[NorthCoast]

Quick; name the last 1st round RB to win the SB? Not exactly a household name.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Quick; name the last 1st round RB to win the SB? Not exactly a household name.

Ask this question again next week.

[hawaiiansteel]

Because it's easy to find good younger RBs in the draft -

52. Pittsburgh Steelers: Quinshon Judkins, RB, Ohio State

Najee Harris could leave this offseason, and Pittsburgh could find a younger, more talented player back in the draft.

In 2024, Judkins averaged 5.5 yards per carry for 1,060 yards with 14 touchdowns. He had 22 catches for 161 yards and two touchdowns. At Ole Miss, Judkins was a tough runner who has been productive the past two seasons. In 2023, he averaged 4.3 yards per carry for 1,158 yards with 16 touchdowns. The previous season, he averaged 5.7 yards per carry for 1,567 yards with 16 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 220-pounder transferred to Ohio State for the 2024 season. Judskins is big, fast, explosive, and has good instincts as a runner.

https://walterfootball.com/draft2025charlie_2.php?rbBot

[WindyCitySteel]

Quick; name the last 1st round RB to win the SB? Not exactly a household name.

Without looking, Clyde Edwards-Helaire.

[Northern_Blitz]

Ask this question again next week.

Does it count after the team that drafted you let you walk?

[whatever]

Easily replaceable at a much lower cost.
wr is the same thing.
there are a few exceptions in the league.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

Does it count after the team that drafted you let you walk?

It counts if you want it to count.

[steeler_fan_in_t.o.]

I can see moving forward that annual salaries could go up but only for elite, proven backs. I would also think that the guarantees would be lower for these players to offset the injury and falling off a cliff factors. A premier back is a difference maker and worth the cost. Players like Barkley and Henry transformed those offenses. Barkley is the top back in the game and signed a 3 year deal @ $12.5M per year. If the team could mitigate the risk of him disappearing tomorrow, he is worth as much (or more) than a high end safety (Winfield AAV $21M), center (Humphrey AAV $18M), guard (teammate Dickerson AAV $21M), Tight End (Kelce AAV $17.1M) you get the idea.