Running backs had already lost the positional value war; when Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs didn’t get new deals, the NFL’s best ball carriers realized it
The reality is that paying running backs is bad team building. It shouldn’t change.
In terms of “fair”, it’s hard to evaluate that. The whole sport and the fact that they can make even a couple million a year is built on the competitive nature of the league. Paying players who add way less value and can be easily replaced less is part of that.
One thing I might do is move away from the position designations for franchise tags and fifth year options. Group WR/TE/RB together and let teams either pay the tag for a skill position or let guys find their own best situation.
The reality is that paying running backs is bad team building. It shouldn’t change.
In terms of “fair”, it’s hard to evaluate that. The whole sport and the fact that they can make even a couple million a year is built on the competitive nature of the league. Paying players who add way less value and can be easily replaced less is part of that.
One thing I might do is move away from the position designations for franchise tags and fifth year options. Group WR/TE/RB together and let teams either pay the tag for a skill position or let guys find their own best situation.