Highest-Paid Running Backs in the NFL: Bijan Robinson Resets Market With Record Extension

Congratulations, Bijan Robinson. You’re now the highest-paid running back in NFL history.

Amid his 2026 training camp hold-in in Atlanta, Robinson and the Falcons have agreed to a three-year contract extension worth up to $75 million. The deal includes $51 million in guaranteed money, $37 million at signing, and will pay Robinson an average per year (APY) of $22.25 million—a league record.

ESPN sources: Two-time Pro-Bowl selection Bijan Robinson and the Falcons reached agreement on a three-year extension worth up to $75 million that now will make him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Robinson will receive a record $51 million guaranteed, including $37… pic.twitter.com/bLzbDVEgfh
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 4, 2026

Robinson was selected by the Falcons with the No. 8 pick in the 2023 draft, and in 2025 was named a first-team All-Pro at running back, a second-team All-Pro as an all-purpose player and was elected to his second-consecutive Pro Bowl. Over his first three seasons, the 24-year-old has rushed for 3,910 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding and additional 1,738 yards and nine scores through the air.

As Robinson cashes in, here’s a look at the highest-paid running backs in the NFL.

Who is the highest-paid running back in the NFL?

While Robinson is now the highest-paid running back in the NFL in terms of APY ($22.25 million), the highest-paid in terms of guarantees is actually Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love.

Due to the way rookie contracts work, Love, the No. 3 pick, receives a four-year, fully guaranteed $53 million deal. Similarly, 2025 No. 6 pick and Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty ranks third in total guaranteed money among running backs. Among backs not on their rookie contracts, Barkley is first in guaranteed money with $36 million and Bills’ James Cook is second with $30 million guaranteed.

Top 10 highest-paid running backs

Here are the 10 highest-paid running backs in the NFL, via Over the Cap.

Running back	Team	Annual Salary	Total Contract Value
Bijan Robinson	Falcons	$22.25 million	$66.75 million
Saquon Barkley	Eagles	$20.6 million	$41.2 million
Christian McCaffrey	49ers	$19 million	$38 million
De’Von Achane	Dolphins	$16 million	$64 million
Breece Hall	Jets	$15.25 million	$45.75 million
Derrick Henry	Ravens	$15 million	$30 million
Kenneth Walker III	Seahawks	$14.35 million	$43.05 million
Jonathan Taylor	Colts	$14 million	$42 million
Jeremiyah Love	Cardinals	$13.256 million	$53.02 million
Alvin Kamara	Saints	$12.5 million	$24.5 million

How running back salaries have changed over time

Like all NFL positions, the salaries of running backs have increased greatly over time. They, however, have not increased as rapidly as the salaries for positions such as quarterback, wide receiver or edge rusher have.

Of course, every running back and player is making significantly more than the top rushers were back in the day. Jim Brown, arguably the greatest running back of all time, reportedly was making a salary of $60,000+ when he retired from the Browns in the mid-1960s. Nearly three decades later in 1993, both Thurman Thomas and Emmitt Smith signed four-year extensions for $13.5-13.6 million, earning them a salary over $3 million.

Two more decades later in 2011, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson signed an astounding seven-year, $100 million contract with $36 million guaranteed. A seven-year contract is unlikely for any running back to receive in the present, but the average annual value of the deal—$14.3 million—is more than all but five running backs make today.

Who could be the next highest-paid running back?

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs—who was drafted four picks after Robinson in 2023—now has the potential to become the NFL’s next highest-paid running back. Like Robinson, Gibbs became extension eligible this offseason, had his fifth-year option picked up and began the summer by holding in at Detroit’s training camp.

How running back salaries compare to other positions

The salaries of running backs are comparable to other non-premium positions such as linebackers, guards, safeties, though the top-paid backs are still making several million less than the highest-paid safeties and guards.

Barkley makes three nearly times less in salary than the highest-paid quarterback, Dak Prescott, who has a salary of $60 million per year. Outside of Barkley and McCaffrey, the other highest-paid running backs are making around three times less than the highest-paid edge rushers and receivers.

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