Derrick Henry calls out NFL over running back salaries: 'We just want our share due'
It hasn’t been a hot tailback summer for the NFL’s top running backs. Teams made it clear that the position no longer is as financially valued as others. Derrick Henry, the de facto King of all running backs, says that needs to stop.
The league rushing leader (Josh Jacobs) shouldn’t need to hold out for months to get a better deal. And the guy who topped all rushers in 2021 (Jonathan Taylor) shouldn’t need to request a trade to be paid. It’s gotten so bad for the running backs that their average salaries now are the lowest amongst offensive players.
Derrick Henry is in the final year of his contract with the Titans. The former Alabama star has rushed for the most yards in the NFL since 2016. That’s when Tennessee secured Henry for what now seems like a bargain price — in the second round of the draft with the 45th overall pick.
Maybe Derrick Henry pulls off another 15/1500 combo
Henry noted that the NFL values running backs when it comes to marketing the league. And, productionwise, no one touches the ball more than a quarterback and running back. But in this weird NFL world, even tight ends now out earn the running backs. There are 10 tight ends who earn $10.5 million a year. There are only five running backs to achieve that check.
“Have you all witnessed it? I’m pretty sure you all have,” Derrick Henry asked reporters.“So yes, just trying to show that we are as valuable as any other position. They use us in commercials and all over the place. And we just want our share due.”
Henry will earn $12.5 million this year. That places him third amongst running backs. Christian McCaffrey leads all running backs with an average of $16 million a year. Alvin Kamara is second at $15 million. Nick Chubb ranks fourth at $12.2 million. And Jacobs’ new salary of $11.8 million comes in fifth.
The Titans star organized a Zoom call in early summer and invited the top running backs to attend. This was back when both Jacobs and Saquon Barkley were holding out. It probably mounted to only a venting session. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler also was vocal about the plight of running backs. He’s scored 38 touchdowns the last two seasons. But he had to request a trade this spring before the Chargers added $1.75 million in incentives to his deal.
No doubt, Derrick Henry would like some eye-popping statistics this fall in what will be his money year. He’s already posted two seasons of rushing for at least 1,500 yards and scoring at least 15 touchdowns. No running back in NFL history has done this three times.
Derrick Henry said: “All you can do is try to be the best player you can. And (you) hope the team understands your value and appreciates you trying to do the best you can to carry the load, to help your team win games and get to the Super Bowl.”