Carolina Panthers: McCaffrey right to defend running back importance
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers star Christian McCaffrey has come to the defense of NFL running backs, something he is right to do in the current climate.
There are few that would deny Christian McCaffrey was deserving of a new deal with the Carolina Panthers. He quickly emerged as an indispensable member of the franchise and his contribution in 2019 was nothing short of extraordinary.
The former first-round pick out of Stanford rushed for 1,397 yards, secured 1,097 yards through the air, and helped himself to 19 combined touchdowns along the way. In an offseason where the Panthers disposed of overpaid veterans in a bid to go younger. They made a concerted effort to ensure McCaffrey becomes the face of their franchise going forward.
He eventually signed a four-year, $64 million extension that included a $21 million signing bonus and a little over $38 million guaranteed. McCaffrey is now the highest-paid running back in NFL history and this money is not something that has become a trend throughout the league.
A host of productive players at the position are seeking big-money deals. But with the position seemingly falling less pivotal with every passing season, teams are reluctant to offer such a commitment for fear of ending up in a similar situation the Los Angeles Rams encountered with Todd Gurley.
This does not sit well with McCaffrey, who gave a passionate reply on 610 Sports Radio when asked if running back was less important in today’s NFL than it had been in the past.
"“That’s an asinine statement “When you look around the league and you look at what the running back position has meant to certain teams, I don’t know when that narrative started happening. It used to be the running back and quarterback position were the highest-tiered guys on the field. I look at guys that I looked up to, guys like Emmitt Smith, guys like LaDainian Tomlinson. Emmitt Smith, he played 12-plus years. These guys played long [careers] and were at the forefront of being the team’s most important player. So you look at what guys like Derrick Henry did in the [Titans’] playoff run. “I don’t know when that narrative started happening. You see it so much now, and you look at some of the most explosive players in the league, and they are running backs. So to me, I just think it’s not a very educated statement.”"
McCaffrey might be happy he has received a vote of confidence in him with such a deal. His frustrations regarding attitudes towards the running back spot is there for all to see.