Free Agent Melvin Gordon Claims “It Sucks” To Be A Running Back In The NFL

It appears that we finally have the answer to the question of what the worst NFL position would be. Melvin Gordon claims it to be a running back!

Free Agent Melvin Gordon Claims “It Sucks” To Be A Running Back in NFL

In an interview this week with Jim Rome on CBS Sports Radio, Melvin Gordon declared that running back is unquestionably the worst position to play.

Which NFL position is the hardest to play is always up for debate. Whether it’s the cornerback because the rules are biased in favor of the offense or the quarterback because of the duties.

Melvin Gordon, a free agent, said it is without a doubt the running back position.

“It’s just so tough for running backs right now, man,” Gordon said. “You have a lot of running backs that’s out there and we just don’t get no love. It’s literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now. It literally sucks.”

Gordon certainly feels strongly about this topic, and it’s understandable why. You don’t often hear an NFL player lament how much his position “sucks,” so it’s evident that Gordon feels strongly about this. Running backs have been less valuable in the perspective of NFL organizations during the last ten years. If your name isn’t Derrick Henry or Christian McCaffrey, landing a significant deal is practically difficult.

Although Gordon himself was never a superstar running back, the impacts persisted throughout his career. Gordon addressed one running back’s deal that appeared to be the tipping point for clubs, despite the fact that this had been brewing for a while.

“I think after Todd (Gurley) got paid, and Sean McVay came out and said that ‘I’ll never pay a running back again,’ and then I think they won the Super Bowl, everybody just followed suit,” Gordon said.

Running backs’ non-exclusive franchise tag for the 2023 season is $10.091 million, while quarterbacks’ is $32.42 million and linebackers’ is $20.93 million. Running backs are the only position group paid less under the franchise tag than kickers, who get $5.39 million for being tagged.

Until you understand that practically every other job has seen its tag number double over that time, it could sound like a decent boost. A 121 percent growth from $14.64 million in 2013 to $32.42 million has been driven by quarterbacks. Defensive tackles ($8.31 million to $18.94 million) and linebackers ($9.46 million to $20.93 million) have both had their totals rise by more than 100%.

With an average salary of $16 million per season, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey is the highest-paid back in the league.

Gordon, 30, ran for 318 yards and two scores in 10 games for the Denver Broncos last season.

 

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