NFL Free Agency: Running Backs

In what has been the most exciting free agency period in recent memory, the running back class did not disappoint.

Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia

Barkley returns home to his home state to play for a very running back-friendly team, the Philadelphia Eagles.

He signed a three-year contract to become the main running back the Eagles have been looking for.

A season ago, D’Andre Swift led the team with just over 1,000 rushing yards. Despite him being the main back, they did rotate him in with other running backs.

Barkley has dealt with some injuries but has started to look like his rookie and collegiate self as of late. The Eagles offense becomes much more explosive with a running back with the talent that Barkley has.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay

Jacobs shocked the NFL world by signing with the Packers. The Packers seemed to be one of the least of the teams that should’ve been interested in a running back. Aaron Jones was expected to be back and fully healthy, but the Packers had other plans.

Coming off of a season where they had a pretty good rushing attack with Aaron Jones and A.J. Dillon, Green Bay decided to go out and get one of the top running backs in the NFL.

However, Jacobs is also coming off of a slight injury. After running for over 1,600 yards in 2022, the Alabama product only played 13 games tallying 805 rushing yards.

The Packers' rushing attack should take another step up to help the young offense led by Jordan Love.

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota

Right after Jacobs signed with the Packers, Aaron Jones was cut.

Jones got the short end of the stick in terms of free agency. A lot of the top running backs had already signed somewhere and had the time in the negotiating period to talk to teams.

Jones did not. However, he signed a deal pretty quickly with a division rival. The Vikings get a proven running back that will boost the rushing attack in a suddenly young offense.

Derrick Henry, RB, Baltimore

Rumors circulated of Henry to multiple teams. It ended up being the Ravens.

For opposing defenses, this is about as scary as it could get if Henry still has it from his 2,000-yard season in 2021.

The Ravens have paired the most lethal and fastest quarterback in the NFL with the most powerful running back in the NFL.

Expect to see the Ravens go back to running the ball a lot more after Lamar’s “quarterback prove it” year, where they chose to have him throw it more often.

Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee

Pollard got his chance as the main starter in Dallas and he did not disappoint.

He barely eclipsed the 1,000 rushing-yard mark in 2023 and he will likely split reps with second-year running back Tyjae Spears.

Henry’s departure allows for a new look for the Titans with a speed duo in Spears and Pollard.

Austin Ekeler, RB, Washington

Ekeler departs from Los Angeles and gets his payday in the nation’s capital.

Over the past couple of seasons, he has been consistently one of the best dual-threat running backs in the NFL.

He totaled just over 1,000 total yards in 2023.

Joe Mixon, RB, Houston

Mixon initially was cut from the Bengals and signed with the Texans. After a bit, it was revealed he was traded to the Texans and then signed an extension.

When healthy for a whole season, Mixon is one of the best running backs in the NFL. He joins a young offense that led Houston to a Divisional Round appearance.

Mixon has four 1,000-yard seasons on the ground and leaves the Bengals because of cap reasons.

The running backs shuffle in this year's free agency and it should cause for some more excitement across the entirety of the NFL.

Andrew Deal is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email asd5765@psu.edu