Running backs are valuable again in the NFL.
After seeing their importance decline for a period amid the rise of the passing game, running backs have regained some of the value they held for decades.
The vertical nature of offensive football has changed, partly because of defensive adjustments. As a result, having a running back who can serve as a cornerstone of the offensive playbook has become important for NFL teams.
This decade, players such as Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley have made major impacts that ultimately earned them lucrative contracts when they had the opportunity to negotiate new deals or change teams.
Over the past week, Bijan Robinson secured a contract extension with the Falcons. Almost immediately, Jahmyr Gibbs reached an agreement with the Lions, becoming the NFL’s highest-paid running back. As if that wasn’t enough, Jonathan Taylor also agreed to a new deal with the Colts, completing a revamped top tier of highly valued running backs.
All three stars have earned their new contracts. And in each case, their production on the field has justified the significant increase in salary.
The NFL’s highest-paid running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs agreed to a three-year extension worth an average of $22.5 million per season, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL after an explosive start to his career.
In each of his first three seasons, Gibbs surpassed 1,200 yards from scrimmage. He scored 20 total touchdowns in 2024. Then, in 2025, he recorded a career-high 320 touches and produced 1,839 yards from scrimmage with 18 total touchdowns—13 rushing and five receiving.
Last season, Gibbs started every game, an important detail heading into the new campaign.
First, because of his new contract. Second, because David Montgomery is no longer in Detroit.
His former backfield partner left for Houston, meaning «Sonic» is now expected to carry much more of the workload in the Lions’ backfield. Throughout his career, Gibbs has averaged 5.3 yards per carry and 5.9 yards per touch.
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Since entering the NFL in 2023, Bijan Robinson’s rise has been remarkable and seemingly uninterrupted.
While the Falcons have struggled to establish a consistent starting quarterback, they have been able to lean on the youth and explosiveness of their star running back.
Robinson signed a three-year extension worth an average of $22.2 million per season after leading all offensive players in 2025 with 2,298 yards from scrimmage.
His total production was impressive, but his efficiency stood out just as much. Robinson averaged 6.3 yards per touch, the best mark among all players with at least 300 total touches.
He surpassed 100 total yards in 11 of his 17 games in 2025 and earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the first time in his career.
Bijan has performed like an elite running back, and the Falcons are rewarding him accordingly.
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
One of the NFL’s most consistent running backs of the current decade, Jonathan Taylor ranks second in rushing yards since 2020, with 7,598.
He also ranks second in scrimmage yards over the past six years, with 9,067.
Clearly, he earned his new contract.
Taylor now has the third-highest average salary among NFL running backs at $22.0 million per season.
He deserves credit for remaining the centerpiece of an offense that has continuously cycled through quarterbacks throughout this decade.
During his career, Taylor has shared the field with Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Sam Ehlinger, Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson, Joe Flacco, Daniel Jones and Riley Leonard.
Through all of those changes, Jonathan Taylor has continued to run the football and pile up yards—and he’ll be doing the same again this season.
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Barkley’s value skyrocketed after leaving the Giants.
He became one of the key players in Philadelphia’s Super Bowl championship a couple of seasons ago. Following his spectacular 2024 campaign, when he won Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 2,005 yards in 16 games, Barkley received a contract extension.
His current average salary is $20.6 million per season.
Barkley has surpassed 1,400 yards from scrimmage five times in his career. Two of those five seasons came during his time with the Eagles.
However, his production declined somewhat in 2025. He averaged 71.3 rushing yards per game, his lowest mark in any season in which he played at least 13 games.
He also recorded just 280 rushing attempts last season, the second-lowest total among the four seasons in which he appeared in at least 16 games.
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
At this point, Christian McCaffrey can be viewed as one of the pioneers of the NFL’s running back resurgence.
His impact has always extended beyond the ground game. Since entering the league in 2017, McCaffrey has consistently been one of the NFL’s most dangerous weapons both as a runner and receiver.
He signed his latest contract extension two years ago, and his current average salary stands at $19.0 million per season.
McCaffrey has surpassed 2,000 yards from scrimmage three times in his career. Two of those seasons came with the 49ers, including a league-leading 2,023 yards in 2023 and 2,126 yards in 2025, the second-highest total in the NFL that season.
Last season, McCaffrey won Comeback Player of the Year and earned First-Team All-Pro honors for the third time in his career.
Across nine NFL seasons, he has recorded 109 total touchdowns in the regular season and playoffs. 58 of those touchdowns have come with San Francisco.
You can also read this article in Spanish: Gibbs, Robinson y Taylor renovaron: ¿Quiénes son los corredores mejor pagados de la NFL?
