In recent years, the running back position has become an expendable position in many people's eyes. Adrian Peterson, the veteran running back for the Washington Redskins, spoke out on the NFL's ‘disrespectful' attitude towards paying running backs.
During a conversation with TMZ Sports, Peterson shared his disdain for how running backs are treated in the NFL:
“It's disrespectful to be honest with you. It really is.”
Adrian Peterson himself hasn't had to deal with cheap contracts, with him earning over $100 million in his career. However, there have been running backs that haven't been able to receive an extension after their rookie contract.
The longtime veteran hopes that the younger running backs in today's game can change the narrative:
“I think the change is going to come,” Peterson says. “Me and Frank Gore continue to show guys, ‘Hey, we are valuable. We can have 10, 14-year careers as well, so value us as well like you would value a quarterback, you know?'”
The running back position requires guys to be hit nearly every play, making them more susceptible to injury. Therefore, seeing Adrian Peterson and Frank Gore still playing in the NFL provides some hope for the position. On the other hand, they are considered outliers due to being able to play into their 30s.
Earlier this offseason, Christian McCaffrey garnered a lucrative extension from the Carolina Panthers, making him the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Besides McCaffrey, running backs like Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley could be in store for huge paydays in the near future.
While Peterson would love to see those guys receive expensive contracts, he wants to see more names added to that list too.
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