Running backs weren’t about to sit back and let the NFL free-agency money dry up again.
One year after the market for running backs cratered and no one secured more than $13.5 million on a multi-year contract, seven starting running backs changed teams on the first day of movement, following the in-season tone that was set when the Colts ended the freeze by signing Jonathan Taylor to a big extension.
The first sign of a healthier market was D’Andre Swift securing a three-year, $24 million ($15.3 million guaranteed) deal from the Bears, but Saquon Barkley’s seismic three-year, $37.7 million ($26 million guaranteed) deal with the Eagles to replace Swift was the jaw-dropper.
Barkley and Swift moved into No. 4 and No. 8 among running backs in guaranteed money.
Tony Pollard matched those Swift’s terms (guarantee unknown) terms to leave the Cowboys for the Titans and the Giants pivoted to former Texans and Bills starter Devin Singletary on a three-year, $16.5 million ($5.5 million guaranteed) contract after losing Barkley.
Both deals are bigger than Austin Ekeler’s two years, $11.4 million pact with the Commanders despite Ekeler’s NFL-leading 38 touchdowns from scrimmage in 2021-22.
The Chargers poached Gus Edwards from the Ravens to replace Ekeler.
But the most head-scratching move on multiple fronts came from 2022 NFL rushing leader Josh Jacobs, who surprisingly landed with the Packers.
Jacobs left the Raiders and agreed to a four-year, $48 million that includes what amounts to about one year guaranteed ($12.5 million guarantee) – perhaps the price to pay for averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry last season.
Jacobs, 26, was franchise tagged last offseason after his breakthrough numbers and played on an elevated one-year contract worth $11.7 million. He is younger than all but Swift (25).
The Packers subsequently informed Aaron Jones that he will be released after seven seasons (five as the starter). The 29-year-old Jones, who had three seasons of more than 1,450 yards from scrimmage while playing alongside Aaron Rodgers earlier in his career, slipped to 889 in 11 games during an injury-plagued 2023 regular season but was resurgent in the playoffs (39 carries for 226 yards and three touchdowns in two games).
He landed Tuesday with division rival Minnesota on a one-year, $7 million deal, according to ESPN.
Five-time 1,000-yard rusher Derrick Henry remained available as of publication.
League sources said that the uptick in the NFL running back market can be partially attributed to what is seen as a weak draft class at the position