Return of the Back: Why the demise of the RB was greatly exaggerated

If Mark Twain had scouted the NFL, he would have suggested that the demise of the running back would have been greatly exaggerated based on the resurgence of the position in 2024. The renewed commitment to the running game has helped workhorse runners re-emerge as marquee pieces of the offensive puzzle. 

This season, the league finished with 16 1,000-yard rushers, with six players totaling at least 300 rushing attempts. With 13 players tallying at least 10 rushing scores, running backs are no longer considered second-class citizens in the football world. 

Perhaps the renaissance started in the offseason when teams dropped big money on Saquon Barkley (who finished 100 yards shy of tying the NFL's single-season rushing record), Derrick Henry (1,921 rushing yards, 16 TDs) and Josh Jacobs (1,329 rushing yards, 15 TDs) to take over as RB1s in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Green Bay, respectively. The trio combined for three rushing titles before 2024, but the football world questioned whether the veterans would be worth the hefty investment based on the so-called devaluation of the position in NFL circles. 

Given their individual and collective success and that of Joe Mixon (1,016 rush yards, 11 touchdowns in 14 games), it is easy to surmise the running back position is alive and well with a group of old heads crushing it as lead backs. The veterans displayed the skill and stamina to handle a heavy workload (20-plus carries), while also displaying the big-play potential every offensive coordinator covets in an RB1. 

Despite the success of the veterans, the youngsters have also re-established running backs as premier pieces of the offensive puzzle. Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson, Kyren Williams and Bucky Irving have sparked their