JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: Few free-agent running backs will match Melvin Gordon’s deal

Mar 3, 2021, 1:40 PM | Updated: Mar 11, 2021, 1:41 pm

It’s going to be a very difficult free-agency period for running backs this year. We’re already starting to see it.

Historically, running backs have not been able to land big contracts. Although, there have been a few exceptions.

Christian McCaffrey was able to get $16 million per year over four years, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Joe Mixon was able to get $12 million (four years for $48 million). Derrick Henry got a decent deal (four years, $50 million), as did Alvin Kamara (five years, $75 million).

This week, David Johnson of the Houston Texans restructured his contract. He came over in the trade with Arizona for DeAndre Hopkins, and was on a $13 million per year contract. To avoid being cut like his teammate Duke Johnson, he took a pay cut down to a max contract of one year at $6 million. That means he probably got around $4 million, plus incentives.

One of the top running backs available this year is Aaron Jones of the Green Bay Packers. Right now, there’s talk that the Packers might be willing to pay him a little more than $10 million. In all likelihood, however, he’s probably going to have to take the franchise tag, which is one year at $8 million.

That’s what we’re going to see with a lot of the running backs. It’s tough for them.

Look at last year. The Denver Broncos gave Melvin Gordon the highest free-agent contract for a running back. He got two years at a total of $16 million. He hopes to stay with the team. He probably will, as that’s fair money for someone who is essentially a 1,000-yard back; he had 985 yards in 2020.

It’s going to be hard for any running back to get more than that in free agency. There are just so many out there.

Marlon Mack isn’t going to be back in Indianapolis. James Conner won’t be back in Pittsburgh. We’ll see about Chris Carson in Seattle.

Melvin Gordon got a good deal. It’ll be a tough one for any other running back to match.

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Clayton: Few free-agent running backs will match Melvin Gordon’s deal