Melvin Gordon: Running Back is ‘worst’ position to play in NFL right now
It’s safe to say that free agent running back Melvin Gordon isn’t happy with the undervaluation of the running back position in today’s NFL.
With premier players like Dalvin Cook being released for absolutely no value and several high-profile running backs still unsigned, it’s noticeable how little teams value the running back position in the modern-day NFL.
“It’s just so tough for running backs right now,” Gordon said, according to USA Today’s Scooby Axson. “You have a lot of running backs that’s out there and we just don’t get no love. It’s literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now. It literally sucks.”
It’s been a steady decline for running backs since the NFL shifted to a QB-driven league. Guys like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes can often carry their teams deep into the postseason with little help from their tailbacks.
While still important cogs in most NFL offenses, running backs are largely viewed as replaceable parts with a short shelf life that you don’t need to overpay for. The Cowboys were looked at as outrageous for signing Ezekiel Elliott to a six-year, $90 million deal after already being in the league for three years.
San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey leads all running backs with a $16 million average annual salary, per Spotrac. Only four NFL positions have their highest-paid player earning less than that per year: Kicker ($6 million), fullback ($5.4 million), punter ($3.68 million) and long snapper ($1.58 million).
Though two running backs – Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs – were drafted in the top 12 this year, the value of the RB position had taken a big hit in previous years. No running backs were selected in the first round in 2022, and the four Round-1 RBs selected from 2019-21 were all taken outside the top 20.
Gordon, a first-round pick in 2015, appeared in 10 games for the Denver Broncos last year before being cut in November after rushing for just 318 yards (3.5 per carry) and two touchdowns. He later joined the Kansas City Chiefs’ practice squad but didn’t play for them. The 30-year-old remains unsigned.
Gordon has had some solid years in the NFL, rushing for over 1,000 yards in 2017 and coming very close in 2016, 2020 and 2021. He earned Pro Bowl berths for his 2016 and 2018 seasons.
“I still want to play. I still got some tread left on the tires,” Gordon said. “(Chiefs) coach (Andy) Reid kind of sat me down and he told me, ‘You still can play.’ It’s about the right situation.”
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