In the eyes of the Cleveland Browns' Nick Chubb, production at running back has become more inversely proportional in the modern NFL era.

Chubb and his fellow running backs feel the more rushing yards they rack up, the more teams will hold back on giving them hefty contract extensions. It's a harsh reality that has bitten them hard in recent years.

In fact, Nick Chubb and other big-name running backs such as Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, and Saquon Barkley shared the same sentiment in a recent Zoom call, per ESPN.

Chubb told the press about the current tough situation of NFL running backs these days:

“Right now, there's really nothing we can do,” Chubb quipped. “We're kind of handcuffed with the situation.”

“We're the only position that our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run for 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they're going to say, ‘You're probably worn down.' That's the biggest thing that I took from it. It's tough…it hurts us at the end of the day.'”

Have NFL teams been undervaluing running backs in recent years?

Although the Las Vegas Raiders' Josh Jacobs had an NFL-best 1,653 yards in 2022, the team didn't dangle a long-term contract extension.

For his part, although the New York Giants' Saquon Barkley recorded the third 1,000-yard rushing season of his five-year NFL career, the team placed the $10.1 million franchise tag on him four months ago.

Nick Chubb's four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons have produced four straight Pro Bowl appearances. Chubb's insane squat workout went viral last week, and it's a clear indication he's gearing up for a fifth Pro Bowl nod in 2023.

Despite Chubb's best efforts on and off the gridiron, he fears he could be next in line.

“If we're taking the most risk and doing the most,” Chubb said earlier in the day, “we should be valued more.”

Chubb's statement makes perfect sense. The running back position is arguably the most vulnerable position in football. When you run with the ball, the defense will pound you into submission.

It's a thankless job considering running backs have to deal with relentless punishment seventeen games (more if their teams make the postseason) a year. Nowadays, Chubb and Co. feel their teams aren't giving them the value they deserve.

Here's hoping the NFL does something about this disturbing trend sooner than later.