Cory's Corner: A Running Back Renaissance
Quarterbacks are fun and sexy, but running backs are timeless.
When you hear the word running back, what instantly comes to mind?
Is it a dynamic offensive threat that can run around, through and over unassuming defensive players or just a guy that’s out there to pick up the blitz so his quarterback can deliver a strike?
Running backs have gotten a bad rap and it’s due to the fact that everyone has fallen in love with the pass. The pass is sexier and a lot more immediate to quench the thirst of fans that need things instantly.
But the run is like a history lesson. It’s always been there, even when many people think it’s a rotary phone in a digital age. It just keeps on plowing ahead no matter what the situation.
This year has been a fun relaunch of the running back. Saquon Barkley was the bandleader with a ridiculous reverse hurdle in Week 9 to beat the Jaguars. He led the league with 2,005 rushing yards and he led all running backs with 3.8 yards before contact.
If you liked broken tackles, Baltimore’s Derrick Henry led the league with 42 followed by Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs with 35.
And if you like home run hitters, 13 rushers this year had seven rushes of 20 or more yards, led by Henry with 19. Quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts even got in on the action with eight and seven, respectively.
If any year was ripe for a running back to win the MVP, it was this year. It was basically put on a tee for Barkley to win it. And unfortunately some voters needed to see him break Eric Dickerson’s single season record of 2,105 rushing yards in order to give him the trophy. Which is humorous because Barkley sat out the final game because he put the team's needs over his own.
The quarterback is the most important position in all of sports. But that doesn’t mean that the running back is devalued in any way. That position continues to get stronger with so much versatility and a mix of skills. Take Aaron Jones. He suffered a left MCL sprain in Nov. 2023 and he only tallied 11 games in his final season with the Packers. He signed with the Vikings — much to the Packers chagrin — and put out the highest rushing total of his career at age 30.
If a team is looking for consistent offense, the first place it needs to start is the running game. A good ground game will keep the chains moving and it will also keep the opposing offense off the field. That’s ultimately why the future is so bright for the Packers. They not only have an excellent running game, but it’s layered with jet sweeps, bootlegs and play-actions.
So write off the running back if you must, but it is arguably still the centerpiece of the NFL offenses.
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Cory Jennerjohn is a graduate from UW-Oshkosh and has been in sports media for over 15 years. He was a co-host on "Clubhouse Live" and has also done various radio and TV work as well. He has written for newspapers, magazines and websites. He currently is a columnist for CHTV and also does various podcasts. He recently earned his Masters degree from the University of Iowa. He can be found on Twitter: @Coryjennerjohn
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Comments (22)
Guam
February 08, 2025 at 08:10 am
Yes, this has been a renaissance year for running backs, but Cory left out the reason why. Defenses have shifted to a lighter box, typically swapping out a linebacker for a DB, to better defend the pass. A lighter box allows more opportunities for a running back to find holes in the defensive front and scamper for more yardage.
I am happy to see running backs return to a more prominent role in offenses but as that happens you will see a return to seven man defensive fronts which will begin the cycle all over again. The chess match between OC and DC continues........
TKWorldWide
February 08, 2025 at 09:08 am
Also the 11 personnel. Offense goes 3 wide, defense isn’t going to keep their “base”’ 3-4 or 4-3. Kinda funny to even call either of those “base”. Nickel is the new base.
Bitternotsour
February 08, 2025 at 10:16 am
same as it ever was
TKWorldWide
February 08, 2025 at 10:46 am
Once in a lifetime
There is water at the bottom of the ocean
dobber
February 08, 2025 at 10:35 am
Offenses are cyclical...as are defenses. I think part of what you're talking about is defenses playing faster to counter the high-percentage WR screens and flat passes--catch and run offenses-- that dominated for awhile (and still are prevalent).
The other thing I'll point toward is that two of the RBs indicated here (Holmes and Barkley) moved out of lousy situations, stayed healthy, and got to play in diverse offenses next to dynamic running QBs (who are hard to defend). Jacobs is the one who was the show in his offense.
Guam
February 08, 2025 at 10:43 am
More coffee Dobber. I think you meant Henry, not Holmes.
And yes, the spread or air raid offenses that substituted short passes for the running game led to a third CB instead of a 250 pound linebacker. Which is now leading back to running backs. If Philly wins the Super Bowl, I think the copycats will proliferate.
dobber
February 08, 2025 at 10:47 am
I remember when Priest Holmes carried my FFL teams for a couple years... ;)
We're also seeing a renaissance of big backs--guys who go 220 plus who can run and play in space.
Absolutely: it's a copycat league. Other teams mine coaches off teams that win which spreads the same schemes to other places...other teams mimic what winning teams do. The hardest thing to mimic is impact players.
Guam
February 08, 2025 at 11:00 am
Priest Holmes was a darn good running back!
TKWorldWide
February 08, 2025 at 10:47 am
I, myself, proliferate every chance I get!
dobber
February 08, 2025 at 10:48 am
TMI, TK.
Guam
February 08, 2025 at 11:02 am
I knew I should have used a different word..........
LeotisHarris
February 08, 2025 at 11:46 am
Thanks for that, TK. Helpful info if we ever attend a CHTV meet and greet, I'll be able to identify you by your visual impairment and hairy palms.
TKWorldWide
February 08, 2025 at 02:34 pm
Prolific proliferation. And my vision is still 20/20.
Packitin
February 08, 2025 at 08:49 am
The people who constantly complain about the Packers' GM and other Front Office types need to get some perspective: The NY Giants let BOTH Xavier McKinney and Saequon Barkley walk in Free Agency in the same year. The player they kept at the cost of losing those two, Daniel Jones, was benched and then cut. If the recent NFL Awards show had an award for worst front office moves, the Giants would have won hands down.
Bitternotsour
February 08, 2025 at 10:17 am
I'd like to introduce you to the NY Jets.
Guam
February 08, 2025 at 10:35 am
I think the Jets have been much worse over the long haul but the Giants win the "bonehead of the year" award this year. How do you let Barkley and McKinney go to keep Daniel Jones? Yikes!!
Tough to be a football fan in New York City right now.
Bitternotsour
February 08, 2025 at 12:38 pm
the only true NY team just had their quarterback named MVP. Those other two are Al's problem.
TKWorldWide
February 08, 2025 at 09:09 am
Hells yeah, baby! Still a game of blocking and tackling.
ricky
February 08, 2025 at 09:50 am
The QB is the "sexy position" because the NFL has put in so many safeguards to protect the passer that the guy might as well be wearing a red jersey. Having a solid running game is good, but mainly to set up the pass or to run out the clock at the end of the game. If the back is especially skilled, and those are still relatively rare, that runner can become a real factor in a game. But when you think about it, which is more efficient? Running the ball with a back, or tossing a short pass to the TE and let him get YAC against defensive backs that weigh 50 pounds less and are four to six inches shorter?
Alberta_Packer
February 08, 2025 at 01:37 pm
An alternative perspective. The addition of Josh Jacobs actually caused more of a regression than a "renaissance" for the Packers. Not that Jacobs was in any way to blame - for he earned every dollar of his salary. Rather, with Jacobs replacing Jones - the Packers became more of a run-between-the tackles team. A change from the previous years when Aaron Jones was used in more of the field (and creatively). Also factoring in the Offense's contraction was that Jacobs pass receiving abilities were never fully utilized.
The regression in the Packers offense this year was not so much a talent problem but a design one. The Packers had the offensive talent but it didn't prevail systematically.
Irelandseye
February 08, 2025 at 02:18 pm
In other news, Steelers confirm game in Dublin, September or October. Waiting for Packers to be announced as their opponents. I know you home fans hate these international games, but you have no idea how exciting it is for us on the other side of the pond. Please indulge us on this occasion - this will be an incredible occasion. If you can make it here, you’ll have a fantastic time. Guaranteed. Ireland expects. GPG!
Alberta_Packer
February 08, 2025 at 02:25 pm
Ireland would be a kinder trip for the Packers than Australia - which has been speculated.