We sometimes talk about how running backs get screwed in the NFL's pay structure. It's understandable to some point; these players are arguably the most replaceable, with mid- and late-round draft picks and undrafted players emerging as starters all the time. But still, it's a little ridiculous how they're treated compared to other positions.
It struck me yesterday when I saw the Chargers sign Trey Lance to a one-year deal. They're paying the former San Francisco draft bust "up to" $6.2 million this year, probably to serve as the No. 3 quarterback. (The team also has Taylor Heinicke, who with 29 career starts across seven NFL seasons seems a little more likely to start if Justin Herbert were to get hurt.) That's pretty good money, as it would make him the 31st-highest-paid player at the position in terms of average annual salary.
(Aside: maybe I should be feeling bad for Heinicke. He's making just $2.5 million this year. How much mileage is Lance going to continue to get from being a top-5 pick?)
If you think Lance won't ever see that $6.2 million, let's consider another bust from the same draft, Zach Wilson. He signed with the Dolphins for one year and $6 million guaranteed. He can make up to $10 million this season, which seems a little more likely to happen given Tua Tagovailoa's injury history. But if Wilson does nothing more than hold a clipboard and smile at other players' moms, he'll make $6 million this season.
Wilson at least won a few games with the Jets back in 2023. Lance has started 5 NFL games in four years. He never looked viable in San Francisco, one of the most player-friendly offenses ever drawn up, and couldn't work his way past Cooper Rush in Dallas. I'm not sure what the Chargers are clinging to, but evidently they believe there's enough potential upside with him to pay him money which could be worth over $6 million.
Do you know how many running backs will make more money this season than Lance could and Wilson definitely will? Just 14. That's right, both quarterbacks have the potential to make more than the starting running backs on more than half (18) of the teams in the league. Including the Chargers, who will pay Najee Harris about a million less than either of them.
| 2025 AVERAGE SALARIES, RBS | |
|---|---|
| Player | $$/Year |
| Saquon Barkley | $20,600,000 |
| Christian McCaffrey | $19,000,000 |
| Jonathan Taylor | $14,000,000 |
| Alvin Kamara | $12,250,000 |
| Josh Jacobs | $12,000,000 |
| Aaron Jones | $10,000,000 |
| Joe Mixon | $9,875,000 |
| James Conner | $9,500,000 |
| David Montgomery | $9,125,000 |
| Rhamondre Stevenson | $9,000,000 |
| Chuba Hubbard | $8,300,000 |
| Derrick Henry | $8,000,000 |
| D'Andre Swift | $8,000,000 |
| Tony Pollard | $7,250,000 |
| Trey Lance | $6,200,000 |
| Zach Wilson | $6,000,000 |
| Devin Singletary | $5,500,000 |
| Bijan Robinson | $5,489,636 |
| Jaylen Warren | $5,346,000 |
| Najee Harris | $5,250,000 |
| Jordan Mason | $5,250,000 |
| Jahmyr Gibbs | $4,461,285 |
| Austin Ekeler | $4,215,000 |
| Zack Moss | $4,000,000 |
| Antonio Gibson | $3,750,000 |
| Travis Etienne | $3,224,528 |
| Justice Hill | $3,000,000 |
| Javonte Williams | $3,000,000 |
| Rico Dowdle | $2,750,000 |
| DeeJay Dallas | $2,750,000 |
| Ty Johnson | $2,500,000 |
| Elijah Mitchell | $2,500,000 |
| Breece Hall | $2,253,692 |
| Kenneth Walker III | $2,110,395 |
I'll admit I may be overstating things here, since Lance -- assuming Herbert stays healthy -- probably won't make $6.2 million. (Wilson will make his $6 million, though.) The Lance guarantees haven't been reported; more likely he's looking at $2-3 million, tops.
But Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker will be starting, featured running backs for the Jets and Seahawks this season, and they're going to make just over $2 million apiece. At a position where devastating knee injuries are just a play away.
I understand that quarterback is the game's most important position, but guys who have never done anything in the league making three times as much as a couple of guys with multiple seasons of 1,100-plus yards from scrimmage seems wrong.
Most of us would happily play a game to make $2 million a year. No one is going to feel too bad for any of these guys, apart from the long-term health risks of playing a violent sport. Most NFL players are pretty well compensated.
But running backs could and should be better compensated. Especially when they're making a fraction of what some backup quarterbacks might or will make to not even step on the field.
--Andy Richardson