We saw the shape of the highest-paid running backs in the NFL shift a few years back, but since then, the market hasn’t moved all that much. Entering the 2023 NFL offseason, who is the highest-paid RB in the NFL, and who sits among the top 10 when it comes to the average annual value (AAV) of their contract?
That value does not match Kamara’s recent performances, but the Saints are somewhat stuck. If they cut him, they would incur a $19.372 million dead money charge for 2023. One option could be a post-June 1 release designation, spreading that dead money over 2023 and 2024.
3) Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts | AAV: $14 million
After a tumultuous offseason in 2023, the Indianapolis Colts and Jonathan Taylor came to agreement on a new contract. The extension is a three-year deal worth $42 million. IT ends a period of massive uncertainty for Taylor, and keeps him in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future.
4) Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans | AAV: $12.5 million
The 2023 season is set to be the final year of Derrick Henry’s contract with the Tennessee Titans. The deal was originally a four-year contract worth $12.5 million per year. However, the contract now contains two void years and is set to void in February 2024.
With a cap number of $16.368 million in 2023, could we see the Titans either extend Henry’s deal or push more money into those void years?
5) Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns | AAV: $12.2 million
Coming in sixth on the list of highest-paid running backs in Nick Chubb. The Cleveland Browns RB signed a three-year extension worth $12.2 million per year. His cap number is due to jump to $14.85 million in 2023, so it will be intriguing to see whether the Browns choose to restructure the deal this offseason.
6) Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders | AAV: $12 million
After a lot of posturing between Josh Jacobs and the Las Vegas Raiders, they finally reached an agreement. Jacobs’ contract, worth up to $12 million in a single year, is more than fellow disgruntled RB Saquon Barkley.
However, each RB could not secure a long-term deal with their respective teams. Jacobs may be tagged again next offseason.
7) Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers | AAV: $12 million
Aaron Jones’ contract is somewhat eye-watering heading into 2023. The original terms of the deal were four years at $48 million with $13 million guaranteed. However, restructuring the deal last year means Jones currently has a $20.013 cap number in 2023.
The Packers now have a decision to make. Do they restructure the deal again and push more money into 2024 and the void year in 2025, or do they release Jones, saving more than $10 million in cap space but leave a $9.552 million cap dead-money number?
T-8) Saquon Barkey, New York Giants | AAV: $10.1 million
Saquon Barkley was franchise-tagged right at the last second by the New York Giants. He will now hope to secure a long-term deal with the franchise or attempt to engineer a trade in his sixth season in the league.
T-8) Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys | AAV: $10.1 million
The first of the running backs to get franchise-tagged was Tony Pollard. He remains in Dallas, counting for $10.1 million against the cap, His presence with such a high cap number could put the Cowboys in a tricky spot regarding the future of Ezekiel Elliott.
T-10) James Connor, Arizona Cardinals | AAV: $7 million
In 2020 Kenyon Drake, Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley, and Mark Ingram all placed in the top 10 of RB cap hits.
MORE: Best Running Backs in the NFL for 2023
The NFL moves like a lightning bolt across the sky. James Connor struck at the perfect time when securing his three-year, $21 million deal from the Arizona Cardinals.
T-10) Dalvin Cook, New York Jets | AAV: $7 million
Dalvin Cook took advantage of a team looking to maximize their Super Bowl potential in 2023. A $7 million deal isn’t salary cap affixation by any means, but to pay someone you fully expect to be a backup, or even possibly the third back in the rotation, is surprising at best and completely foolish at worst.
