For years, the role of the NFL running back has been in flux. Once the focal point of offensive schemes, the position has been devalued in an era dominated by high-powered passing attacks. Teams have shifted their financial priorities away from star backs, leading to contract disputes and a growing perception that running backs are replaceable.
However, 2024 may have changed that narrative. A season filled with standout performances has reignited discussions about the position’s importance. Hall of Famer Barry Sanders, one of the greatest running backs of all time, recently weighed in on the debate, offering his perspective on the resurgence of elite rushers across the league.
Barry Sanders Sees a Running Back Renaissance
Appearing on NFL Network’s “Good Morning Football” on Tuesday, March 25, Sanders shared his thoughts on the evolving role of running backs in today’s NFL.
“I felt like the NFL, writing the running back [position] off might be too strong of a phrase, but they were kind of ignored there for a few years,” Sanders said. “But I can say that the 2024 season was a resurgence of the running back.”
The Pro Football Hall-of-Famer cited Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery, Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs, Aaron Jones, and Saquon Barkley, who joined Sanders as one of only nine players in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season last year, as the backs leading the charge of this renaissance.
Sanders praised the diversity of talent across the league, noting that both young and veteran backs are playing a role in restoring the value of the position.
“There’s such a strong group of good running backs — older backs, newer backs,” Sanders said. “There’s just a lot of good running backs.”
Who do you think is @BarrySanders current favorite running backs?
Detroit Lions legend and Hall of Famer joins the show to let us know and gives us his predictions for the Lions in 2025 🦁 pic.twitter.com/d1cLrMvPDT
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) March 25, 2025
Beyond just rushing totals, Sanders emphasized the modern back’s expanded role in passing schemes, specifically citing Barkley’s performance last season as revolutionary to the position as a whole.
“I think [he] really just changes the conversation about running backs in today’s game, and what we can do and what we can contribute,” Sanders said.
Though the position has been devalued in contract negotiations over the last decade, the 2024 season’s standout performances have reintroduced the idea that running backs remain central to team success. This can also be seen in a shift in financial dedication, with Barkley specifically earning a massive payday for his legendary efforts in 2024.
Whether the resurgence translates to long-term financial security for backs remains to be seen, but if Sanders is buying in, the league may want to start paying attention.