Mark Ingram slams NFL treatment of running backs as 'atrocious'

This NFL offseason has shown how difficult it is in the National Football League for running backs to receive fair market value for their services. Even top five running backs, such as Colts’ superstar Jonathan Taylor, have had to deal with contentious standoffs with their owners, in order to try to get a deserved raise. Irsay and Taylor were at a standoff, so he was granted permission to seek a trade. There have been a number of other really talented running backs that have had issues getting paid this offseason, like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing yards last year. During halftime of the Houston Texans-New Orleans Saints preseason game on Sunday, former NFL star Mark Ingram decided he had seen enough.

Check out the video below.

"It's atrocious what they're doing to [running backs]. They're not appreciating them, they're not valuing them."

– @markingramII on how running backs are currently valued in the NFL pic.twitter.com/l9l9b8CwE4

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 28, 2023

Mark Ingram slammed the NFL’s treatment of running backs

“Yeah, it’s a crime. It’s cruelty. I’m telling you. They’re not doing the running backs right. It’s only been one of the most prestigious, exciting positions in all of football. You have Saquon Barkley. When he’s healthy, they are the New York football Giants. When he’s not, they’re just the New York Giants. You have the leading rusher in Josh Jacobs come in and he has a one-year deal,” Ingram vented.

“Every other position they get compensated for what they’re doing. They get compensated for their production. When it’s time for the running back to get paid, it is atrocious what they’re doing to them. They’re not appreciating them. They’re not valuing them. And come on guys. Come on GMs. Come on owners. Take care of these guys. Running backs are crucial and vital to your success. And if you don’t have a Patrick Mahomes. If you don’t have a Tom Brady, you’re gonna need one of these backs to help you to a playoff and to a Super Bowl…” Ingram said on the Fox halftime show.

He simply could not have said it any better. Ingram made some fantastic points and it’s been frustrating to watch over the years. Running backs take a high volume of hits and they have much shorter careers than other positions due to the physical pounding the game takes on their bodies. Just ask Sony Michel, who retired this season after five years in the NFL. Todd Gurley in his prime was one of the best players in the league, but arthritis in his left knee forced him to retire.

On the other side of the coin, the NFL owners don’t want to invest in running backs due to the high rate of injury at the position. They’ve been burned by players like Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley in the past. It’s unlikely things will change, but we’ll just have to see how things go in the future. When NFL owners dig in their heels, it’s kind of hard to change several billionaires’ minds.