Several positions have enjoyed substantial financial growth in recent times. The NFL has seen an ever-increasing emphasis placed on quarterbacks, edge rushers, receivers, offensive and defensive tackles and cornerbacks over time.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Then again, other markets have remained quite stagnant. The running back spot represents a transparent illustration on that time. By way of guaranteed money for veteran backs, the list of probably the most lucrative deals across the NFL\u2019s teams dates way back to 1997. It has turn into commonplace within the salary cap era to depend on the worth generated through rookie contracts and avoid long-term commitments to all however the elite performers within the backfield.<\/p>\n For now, the highest of the RB market sits at $20.6MM per 12 months. Things could change relatively soon due to Bijan Robinson <\/strong>and Jahmyr Gibbs<\/strong>, nevertheless. The star backs for the Falcons and Lions, respectively, have each played three years within the NFL. The 2023 first-rounders are each on the books through 2027 due to their fifth-year options, but Atlanta and Detroit have long been expected to pursue an early extension.<\/p>\n Saquon Barkley <\/strong>landed a lucrative Eagles pact in 2024 and again the next 12 months. His total guarantee figure ($36MM) on the latter accord also leads the way in which on the running back position amongst veterans. If\/when Robinson and Gibbs have their second NFL contracts in hand, though, they may thoroughly move the bar to a brand new height. At 24, each are much younger than the likes of Barkley, Christian McCaffrey <\/strong>and Derrick Henry. <\/strong>Those completed veterans made up the highest three when it comes to average annual value until De\u2019Von Achane<\/strong><\/a>\u2019s recent Dolphins extension.<\/p>\n Each Robinson and Gibbs have a case to eclipse not only Achane (4 years, $64MM) on their second contracts but reset the market as an entire. Detroit has already made quite a few big-money commitments on offense recently, but Gibbs is in line to handle a good larger workload than before without\u00a0David Montgomery\u00a0<\/strong>within the fold. Robinson, meanwhile, has seen teammates\u00a0Drake London\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0Kyle Pitts\u00a0<\/strong>each sign notable extensions this offseason. Discussions on a brand new deal of his own have taken place.<\/p>\n Hesitancy on the a part of Robinson and Gibbs can be comprehensible with each waiting for the opposite to sign. Opinions seem like split on the query of which should secure more and by doing so (likely) earn the title of the league\u2019s highest-paid back. In any case, one other interesting talking point might be the terms of the contracts offered by Atlanta and Detroit.<\/p>\n By way of scheduled 2027 compensation, Gibbs has an edge over Robinson. The Alabama product is resulting from earn $14.29MM in comparison with $11.32MM that 12 months. After all, each backs will aim to have a rather more lucrative long-term accord in place by that time. The specter of a hold-in during training camp could turn into a talking point within the event no agreements have been reached by the beginning of summer practices, although there continues to be time for negotiations to happen.<\/p>\n How do you think that Robinson and Gibbs will fare during contract talks over the approaching days and weeks? Will one or each surpass the prevailing watermark when it comes to running back deals? How high can they move the bar? Have your say within the comments section below.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Several positions have enjoyed substantial financial growth in recent times. The NFL has seen an ever-increasing emphasis placed on quarterbacks, edge rushers, receivers, offensive and defensive tackles and cornerbacks over time. Then again, other markets have remained quite stagnant. The running back spot represents a transparent illustration on that time. By way of guaranteed money […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":356810,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[338],"tags":[19523,2047,962],"class_list":["post-356809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports","tag-climb","tag-high","tag-market"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.profootballrumors.com\/files\/2026\/06\/USATSI_27456350.jpg\")
<\/a>A recent projection from The Athletic\u2019s Austin Mock<\/a> has Robinson signing for $21.9MM per 12 months and setting a brand new mark for RB contracts (other than\u00a0Jermiyah Love<\/strong><\/a>\u2018s rookie deal) when it comes to guarantees at $52.7MM. The model has Gibbs slotting in behind Robinson and Barkley when it comes to AAV ($19.9MM) but in between the 2 with respect to locked-in compensation ($46.7MM). A deal surpassing $20MM annually has long been mentioned as a powerful possibility in each cases, and Mock adds Gibbs is more likely to land greater than his projected figure.<\/p>\n