Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs are the top three leading rushers in the NFL.
Every team had a chance to add them in the offseason.
Henry, Barkley and Jacobs switched teams in free agency along with several other starting running backs who are leading their teams in rushing. J.K. Dobbins, Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones and De’Andre Swift are on the list. Joe Mixon also changed uniforms but he was traded.
Many running backs felt they were being devalued last year and openly expressed their frustration. They were paid better this season, though nowhere close to the money quarterbacks and wide receivers receive.
The success of Henry, Barkley and others could change the future of the position. Teams may be more inclined to give top backs bigger contracts.
Henry signed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Ravens. He has 1,185 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns.
Barkley got a three-year, $37.5 million contract with $26 million guaranteed from the Eagles. He leads the NFL with 1,347 scrimmage yards, including 1,137 on the ground, and has eight rushing TDs and two more receiving.
Mixon received a three-year, $25.5 million deal from the Texans after he was traded by Bengals. He has 764 yards rushing and 10 TDs, including three Monday night in a 34-10 victory against the Cowboys, in eight games.
Christian McCaffrey is the highest-paid running back with an average annual salary of $19 million. Meanwhile, 23 receivers are averaging at least $20 million per season, including six making $30 million.
Henry, Barkley and Mixon have been bargains for likely playoff-bound teams with Super Bowl aspirations.
They could pave the way for other backs to get paid.
Underrated Tomlin
Mike Tomlin is one win away from securing his 18th winning season in 18 years as the head coach for the Steelers. This could be Tomlin’s best coaching job yet.
The Steelers (8-2) took control of the AFC North with an 18-16 win over the Ravens (7-4) and have established themselves as surprise championship contenders. They were an afterthought coming into the season before starting 4-2 with Justin Fields filling in for Russell Wilson. Tomlin was widely criticized for switching to Wilson when he returned from a calf injury and the Steelers haven’t lost since.
Despite his success, Tomlin has never been the AP Coach of the Year. He’s built a strong case through 11 weeks.
Still struggling
The Jets (3-8) are 1-5 since head coach Robert Saleh was fired and Jeff Ulbrich took over on an interim basis.
Ulbrich, who has been defensive coordinator, has continued to call plays for a unit that has regressed.
Twice in the last four games, the defense has allowed a 70-yard TD drive that culminated with the go-ahead score in the final minute.
The Jets’ miserable season cost general manager Joe Douglas his job on Tuesday.