NFL Running Back Salaries Surge, Spotlight on James Cook
Despite topping the rushing leaders last year, James Cook ranks just 14th in RB pay. Jahmyr Gibbs, Jonathan Taylor, and Bijan Robinson signed extensions
Video Transcript
Now, the three signings that have happened here this week, with the running back position between Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Jonathan Taylor, how do you think James Cook of the Buffalo Bills feels right about now when Buffalo signed him for, what, 11 and a half million, and he was You know, he had to almost hold out in order to be able to get that.
But now he went from being, pretty good, like top, top eight or nine, but now he's like 13th or 14th in average salary.
My goodness.
But I guess running backs are a hot commodity again now, huh?
Boy, that was quick.
Yeah.
That, that, that was surprising, right?
And, and by the way, Cook led the NFL in rushing last year.
So- Yes how long before he says, "You know what?
I, I'm holding out, too," right?
So he- Mm-hmm he should be a little bit higher on the pecking order.
But it is amazing.
Yeah, listen, it was only a matter of time.
The, the, the Barkley thing really kind of opened the door to other teams saying, "All right, we got all this extra salary cap space."
You know, the NFL, you're getting $10 to $20 million more every single year.
You know, and some of these teams are, you know, kind of cut back a little bit on other positions and, and you know, the, the running back is He's, he's due, right?
What, what are you gonna do?
E- even now at, at 20 to 25 million, compared to other positions, it really is not- Mm-hmm that, that much if you're, you know, the best ones a- as they, these guys are, so.
But I, I figured, we were talking about this, you know, on, on the podcast with, with Gibbs.
It was a matter of time.
You know, whoever gave in, you know I don't think it was the Lions or even the Falcons that were saying, "No, no, no, no, no."
I think it was Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs that were saying, "All right, you know, whatever You know, whoever signs first, the other guy's gotta get a couple of dollars more," just, just because of ego and, and everything else, and that's exactly what happened.
You know, Robinson signs and then a couple days later, you know, yesterday, you know, Gibbs signs, and he got just, just a couple of dollars more just to kind of throw it in your face, "All right, I won the battle.
How about that?"
But yeah.
Yep.
They're making good money now.
They are.
Next up would be field goal kickers, I guess.
That'll be the next position.
I, I, I, I guess, right?
Because it's like heads crying.
Like, now all of a sudden, now these guys are taking up a significant portion of the, of the cap here.
And listen, if you're Bijan, if you're Jahmyr, I get Taylor, this is his second contract, guaranteed contract, I believe, 'cause I think he's older- Yeah than both of them, at, at 20 I think he's 27 years old, so.
27.
This He's got Yeah, he, he's up there, but Jahmyr Gibbs is only 24.
And listen, Bijan, both guys are well worth it, but you better be very confident in some of the other spots, 'cause I think Montgomery not being in Detroit this year, you know, all of a sudden there's gonna be coming a lot of wear and tear on a guy you're paying $23, $24 million a year to from the running back position.
And you and I both know defenses are gonna be looking at what they did last year and be like, "Yeah, you're not going for 85 yards, man.
Like, that's just, that's not happening here," which means, that's a lot more touches, a lot more wear and tear on him as well.
Yeah.
And look at Saquon.
You know, two years ago he rushes- Yeah for 2,000 yards.
Last year barely got 1,000, believe it or not.
You know, ele- 1,140.
You know, j- just over 1,000 yards, which, you know, with 17 games really isn't that much per game.
So yeah, you know these guys are gonna come back to the pack a little bit, but, you know, I, I guess you have to pay them, Joe.
But I don't know.
I, you know, I've said this about the owners.
You know, l- like, like, you know, Gibbs, right?
So there is Robinson getting $67 million a, for, for three years, right?
I don't know why the Lions just didn't say, "All right, there's the market.
You're as good as him.
He's as good as you.
We're gonna give you 67 million."
Instead they gotta give him like a half a million more, and a half a million almost- Yeah almost a million more in, in, in incentives, a- and a half a million more in, in guaranteed money.
W- why?
Why do that?
Why would Just there's the guy.
There's the best running back.
We'll match it.
There you go.
But instead they just s- ever so slowly give him more and more and more money, and it just doesn't make any sense.
I mean, what's the guy gonna do, walk away?
I mean, for r- honestly, he's got a year left on his contract, Gibbs.
The, the Lions could have said- Yeah "Play this year under your contract, and then you know what?
We're gonna franchise you next year."
And the franchise for a running back is not $25 million.
It, it's, it's probably around 15 million.
So now you got him under control for two more years, and, "Hell, I'll franchise you again the year after."
It's still not gonna probably- Yeah be 25 million, and by that time you're gonna be 27.
I know the system sucks for certain players, but if I'm the owners, I'm the GM, what are you gonna do?
I'm gonna give you $20 million.
I'm not giving you 25.
Too bad.
I'll give you- Yeah 15, 20 million.
Go ahead and walk away from that, I dare you.
These, and these guys wouldn't
