Heading into the 2024 NFL season, many fans and pundits were attempting to write off the importance of the running back position and arguing that it was a waste of a franchise’s resources to pay a running back top dollar or draft one in the first round.
Then Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley joined the conversation. In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley had a legitimate chance to see the NFL record for rushing yards in a single season, but elected to preserve his body and sit out the last week of the season rather than risk injury.
Still, Barkley’s impact on the Eagles and unlocking the passing game for quarterback Jalen Hurts was undeniable, and it culminated in the Eagles winning a Super Bowl.
For his herculean efforts, the Eagles awarded Barkley with a contract that made him the highest-paid running back in the history of the NFL. Now, a young talent who hopes to mimic Barkley’s impact thinks a new age is dawning for running backs in the league.
“I think the value is definitely going back up courtesy of guys in the league doing it, but also guys in college playing at a high level,” former Boise State running back and projected first-rounder Ashton Jeanty said, according to Pro Football Talk.
“I had a really great, historic season, but there was a lot of other great guys who had great seasons as well and did great things in college football. People are it’s like a little running back renaissance, but I believe it’s here.
“The time is now to get you a great running back to be that X-factor for your offense.”
If Jeanty can follow in Barkley’s footsteps, running backs may find themselves among the highest-paid positions in the league before long.
