Why Don’t Running Backs Get Paid Anymore? (Update) - Freakonomics Radio Recap

Podcast: Freakonomics Radio

Published: 2026-02-04

Duration: 58 min

Summary

The episode explores the declining salaries and perceived importance of running backs in the NFL, tracing the shift from running-heavy offenses to a more pass-oriented game. Through expert insights and personal anecdotes, it examines the changing dynamics of football economics and player value.

What Happened

In this updated episode, Stephen Dubner revisits the topic of running backs in the NFL, questioning why these once-celebrated players have seen their salaries plummet from second highest among positions to fifteenth. He reflects on the past, when running backs like Tony Dorsett and Franco Harris were the stars of the game, capturing the hearts of fans and dominating the field. The episode contrasts this nostalgia with the current landscape of the NFL, where the emphasis on passing has reshaped team strategies and player valuation.

Dubner discusses insights from economist Roland Fryer, who highlights the gradual decline in the running back position's value. Fryer, who has a personal history with football, shares that the evolution of the game has led to a preference for passing, making running backs less essential to a team's success. The episode features interviews with former NFL running backs and agents who provide context on the physical demands of the position and the economic realities players face today. Despite star performances from running backs like Saquon Barkley, the consensus is that the economic structure of the league continues to favor quarterbacks and wide receivers over running backs.

Key Insights