The NFL’s running back position has struggled with getting a fair piece of the league’s expanding economic pie.
During the 2023 free-agency period, no free-agent running back was able to hit $7 million in annual salary this past offseason, and the number of backs earning at least $12 million has fallen from eight in ’22 to five now.
Some running backs were able to cash in on their value.
Saquon Barkley signed a record extension worth $20.6 million annually to become the highest-paid running back. Barkley, fresh off a big win in the Super Bowl with the Eagles, signed the two-year extension in March, totalling $41 million.
49ers superstar Christian McCaffrey, who signed a two-year, $38 million extension last June, is second. Jonathan Taylor, who reached a three-year, $42 million extension with the Colts last year, comes in third.
Five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara is fourth on the list at $15 million per year. He signed a five-year, $75 million extension with the Saints in 2020.
Josh Jacobs rounds out the top five at $12 million. Jacobs signed a four-year, $48 million contract with the Packers last March.
Top 25 Highest-Paid Running Backs
Here is the full list of the top 25 highest-paid running backs by average annual value. The list was compiled using data from Spotrac.
| Rank | Player | Team | Compensation |
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | Philadelphia Eagles | $20.6 million |
| 2 | Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | $19 million |
| 3 | Jonathan Taylor | Indianapolis Colts | $14 million |
| 4 | Alvin Kamara | New Orleans Saints | $12.3 million |
| 5 | Josh Jacobs | Green Bay Packers | $12 million |
| 6 | Aaron Jones | Minnesota Vikings | $10 million |
| 7 | James Connor | Arizona Cardinals | $9.5 million |
| 8 | David Montgomery | Detroit Lions | $9.1 million |
| 9 | Rhamondre Stevenson | New England Patriots | $9 million |
| 10 | Joe Mixon | Houston Texans | $8.5 million |
| 11 | Chuba Hubbard | Carolina Panthers | $8.3 million |
| T-12 | Derrick Henry | Baltimore Ravens | $8 million |
| T-12 | D’Andre Swift | Chicago Bears | $8 million |
| 14 | Tony Pollard | Tennessee Titans | $7.3 million |
| 15 | Devin Singletary | New York Giants | $5.5 million |
| 16 | Bijan Robinson | Atlanta Falcons | $5.49 million |
| 17 | Jaylen Warren | Pittsburgh Steelers | $5.3 million |
| T-18 | Jordan Mason | Minnesota Vikings | $5.3 million |
| T-18 | Najee Harris | Los Angeles Chargers | $5.25 million |
| 20 | Jahmyr Gibbs | Detroit Lions | $4.5 million |
| 21 | Austin Ekeler | Washington Commanders | $4.2 million |
| 22 | Zack Moss | Cincinnati Bengals | $4 million |
| 23 | Antonio Gibson | New England Patriots | $3.8 million |
| 24 | Travis Etienne | Jacksonville Jaguars | $3.2 million |
| T-25 | Cordarrelle Patterson | Pittsburgh Steelers | $3 million |
| T-25 | Javonte Williams | Dallas Cowboys | $3 million |
| T-25 | Justice Hill | Baltimore Ravens | $3 million |
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