Freakonomics Radio 620. Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore?
266 snips
Jan 31, 2025 
Roland Fryer, a Harvard economics professor with a penchant for sports, Brian Burke, a sports data scientist at ESPN, and Jeffery Whitney, president of a prominent sports agency, dive into the dwindling salaries of NFL running backs. They discuss the shift from running-focused strategies to the passing game, revealing how analytics now shape player value. Additionally, they explore contract dynamics altered by collective bargaining agreements, shedding light on the physical toll it takes on running backs while questioning the future of their position in the league.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Running Back's Role
- LeSean McCoy describes the running back position as unique and demanding.
- Running backs must be students of the game, always analyzing defenses for weaknesses.
Unfair QB Contracts
- McCoy points out the perceived unfairness of quarterback Daniel Jones's large contract compared to Saquon Barkley's.
- He questions how quarterbacks can receive elite money with less consistent performance.
Barkley vs. Jones
- Saquon Barkley had a historically great season with the Eagles while Daniel Jones struggled.
- This highlights the discrepancy between running back performance and perceived value.
