Marcus Allen Laments NFL Running Backs Are ‘Sadly Undervalued’
One the best running backs in NFL history is upset with the way players at the position are being viewed in regard to salary.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Marcus Allen is aware of the ongoing contract disputes regarding Raiders tailback Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley of the Giants.
During a Wednesday interview with Silver and Black Pride at the American Century Championship celebrity golf tournament at South Lake Tahoe, the former Raiders and Chiefs star said investing in top running backs is vital to a franchise’s success.
“Unfortunately, there is a prevalent assumption made by all of these teams that these top running backs aren’t worth investing into beyond four years, and it’s not true,” Allen told Silver and Black Pride’s Bill Williamson.
Jacobs and Barkley, who are unhappy about being slapped with the franchise tag, have fueled speculation that they might hold out without new contracts.
“You have to value these guys, and they’re sadly undervalued,” added Allen. “It’s a copycat league, so one team follows the other when it comes to valuing running backs. It’s prevalent, and I don’t know if it will change, but I’ll be watching and hope it does change. … It’s intellectually dishonest.”
Many teams have been reluctant to invest in running backs over the long term due to the amount of punishment they absorb. San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey is the NFL’s highest-paid tailback by average annual value, at $16,015,853 per season, according to Over the Cap. The Saints’ Alvin Kamara is the only other running back with an average salary of at least $15 million.
Both Jacobs and Barkley would be poised to earn $10,091,000 next season if they sign the franchise tender.
