Miles Sanders says it 'sucks' to be a running back in the NFL right now

Ask Miles Sanders about life in the NFL as a running back right now and he won’t hold back. He says that it currently “sucks” to play the position in the league right now because of how general managers and owners value the position.

Sanders, who joined the Carolina Panthers in the offseason after spending the first four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, talked about the status of running backs in the NFL. He says guys at the position are doing everything they can to continue to make an impact.

However, those contributions aren’t valued nearly as much as years past.

“We’re doing everything that we have to do as far as on the field and stuff like that,” he said during an appearance on the Rich Eisen Show. “For people and GMs or owners to think that running backs are not as valued as much is a lie because you’ve got to see how everything plays out. You’ve got to see what guys like Christian McCaffrey, the stuff he does, things that Saquon Barkley do, the things that Josh Jacobs do consistently each year.”

To his point, NFL teams do place high emphasis on the quarterback position. There’s also more importance placed on the offensive line, wide receivers and defensive ends.

Though the running back was once valued as the second-most important position in the sport, it’s not the case anymore.

“You want to franchise tag and create a certain market for running backs just because you have this way of thinking that they only last three or four years. I think it’s B.S., honestly,” he added. “Almost every running back is underpaid right now. I don’t know what it’s gonna take. That’s a topic that needs to be brought up a little more because it sucks to be a running back right now, honestly.”

Miles Sanders frustrated with Eagles over postseason use

Sanders seemingly had no trouble leaving Philadelphia behind and signing with Carolina as a free agent during the offseason. And after making the change, he aired it out on his former team.

The running back wasn’t happy with how he used utilized in the postseason this past year.

“Last game of the season? For all of the marbles? Everybody can answer that question,” Sanders said, per Steve Reed of the Associated Press. “If they put themselves in my shoes, would they be happy? I don’t want to make headlines, [but] if it does, I don’t care.”

Sanders produced career numbers during the 2022 regular season. He totaled 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns on the ground, helping Philadelphia to a 14-3 record. Then, in the postseason, something changed.

The Eagles diminished Sanders’ role in the playoffs, which included just a seven-carry effort in Super Bowl LVII. Philadelphia lost a 38-35 decision to Kansas City.

Sanders believes he’ll get a fresh start with the Panthers.

“This is going to give me more opportunities to help my team win, and that’s all I’m about,” Sanders said. “I’m a team guy and I want to do whatever I can to help our team win. Making it to the Super Bowl is pretty addicting and if I knew the formula I would do it every year.”