Why RBs Don't get Paid Anymore (Freakonomics)

Our running game improved... I don't know what else to tell you. We didn't run the ball more for a myriad of reasons (OC choice, AR switching out of runs in RPO's, not enough possessions, defense unable to get the ball back, etc.), but it wasn't because we couldn't run the ball. We were T-16 in YPC, and gained a quarter yard per carry more than the year before. We just seldomly ran it. The literal only reason we were low is because of low attempts, not low production.

The stats weren't provided without context. I gave you all of the context in my post. The point was that our backs and rushing attack performed quite well, and were simply additional attempts away from being far more productive, because they produced well at a per touch level. If you want to see stats that are provided without context, look at the gem below....

If you look at the stats without context, you would think that we were a good rushing team in 2024 and a bad rushing team in 2025, but this couldn't be further from the truth. We were the 11th ranked rushing offense, but the 4th most attempts and T-20th in YPC. If it wasn't for a good rushing average by Fields, our offense would have rushed for less than 4 YPC for the season. We were a poor rushing offense (really poor if only gauging rushing by backs) that ran the ball a ton, propping up our stats. Going into 2025, we raised our YPC by 0.2 YPC (and did so without the aid of a rushing QB). Our backs significantly out performed the 2024 output on a per carry basis. We ran it a ton less. Such is life. But if you look at these stats without context, it would be easy to be duped into thinking we were a quality rushing team in 2024 and a poor one in 2025. The reality is that if you look a little deeper... the truth is that we were a poor rushing team in 2024 and a significantly better rushing team in 2025. That's not "weird advanced stats" pushing it either... it's just a fact.

We started out a bit slow running it, but after about 4 weeks or so we really became quite a quality rushing team. Idk who you want to blame for not running it more, but it was there for most of the year. We just... didn't.

 

Need more? Come on. You just watched two backs post a 4.5 YPC and a 4.7 YPC season and are advocating we should have gone with the guy that has a career sub 4.0 YPC? That just doesn't compute to a rational mind. We simply just needed to give the ball a few more times to the guys who could do something with it. Not over feed the ball to someone who could run into the back of the OL and fall forward. Both Warren and Gainwell are vastly superior rushers to Harris.

I get that your criteria for better back = bigger back... but that just isn't how it works in the NFL anymore.

 

We may or may not get to see it. Harris won't be particularly sought after being a big, slow, non-explosive back coming off an achilles tear at the age of 28. He's expected to make less than $3m next year and quite frankly, I doubt any teams are going to be willing to give him more than a 1 year deal. He won't be handed a tandem #2 role, as most teams are going to find more value drafting someone than betting on Harris' achilles. He will be signed by someone as an insurance policy, but I think he could end up being a RB3 somewhere and really only get carries if he completely shows out.

If he loses a step with his injury, I'd find it hard to believe he'd be able to stick in the NFL. It wouldn't entirely shock me to see 2026 be Najee's last NFL season. I hope that isn't the case for Najee the human being, because he seems like a good guy, but as a player it is entirely feasible.

You are correct he is no longer under contract with the Chargers. If I am him, I would probably try to stay with them. Offensively, they make some sense stylistically.

 

Someone told me to wait and see after Najee left. Warren will get increased carries and his YPC will decrease. Funny thing, it didn't happen.

Also;

• Warren's rate of 100 yd rushing games is 2X Harris'.
• Harris had at least 20 carries in 7 out of 9 of his 100 yd games. Warren? Never got more than 16 carries in his 100 yd games.

I think Najee will stick but he will be like a lesser Nick Chubb.

 

My guess is that he'll get something around vet minimum. Maybe with a bunch of incentives he won't achieve (like the contract the Chargers gave him last year).