They still get millions ROFL

Why would someone downvote this. He's absolutely right

It was Nubian Nut.

Yep. His production didn't match his salary and the Bengals were (surprisingly) smart enough to see this and actually act. This is the first time in their history that they've successfully restructured a contract. There's been talk before but each time, the player declined and was cut. He'll still be the primary runner but they're shifting to more of a RBBC.

For anyone interested, here's an article about the possible ripple effects of this contract restructure.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/h...an-expect-now/

The running back "problem" is essentially that not one of them is worth a second contract.

The worst thing you could do if you were the NFL is to give players at that position special treatment. Then you end up with Middle LBs and long snappers bitching. RB's are still drafted high, at hell teams are franchising the good ones, but they just don't have the durability to get the 2nd Contract money.

Nark

Counterpoint: they play a position that is invaluable to the game of football and we want talented athletes to continue to play it in the HS and college ranks. It’s not like a ****ing fullback. And who gives a shit what kickers, punters, and long snappers (the only lower paid tags by position) think.

They got hosed in the 2011 change to rookie contracts.

NFLPA should push to exempt RBs from franchise tags.

OR: you can sign McKinnon for pennies, and he'll score more TD's than both combined.

I ain't paying RB's.

I mean, that’s what I’d do as a GM.

But it still doesn’t negate the fact that they’re underpaid leaguewide due to market forces and career longevity.

Oh no!
Anyway...

You either care about labor being exploited or you don’t.

The difference is RBs suffer wear and tear that is specific to their position and largely dependent upon the team's playcalling.

Teams are incentivized to chew RBs up and spit them out through overuse and that's not true with middle LBs and long snappers.

I think there's a real fairness-based case to be made in terms of exempting them from the franchise tag and I'd be in favor of it. That said, I doubt it'll ever develop traction.

It's just business

Reported.