Christian McCaffrey Is Becoming The Highest-paid RB In NFL History

Updated: April 16, 2020

As we all know Christian McCaffrey just signed a new deal that will net him up to $76 million if he hits all the qualifiers in his new 4 year deal. The first $32 million is fully guaranteed and is by far the most money a RB has gotten ever in the NFL.

So what are my thoughts on it?

Well first, let’s not frame this as a race thing. McCaffrey is one of the best players in the NFL regardless of being the lone starting white running back and does it from a position that you wouldn’t expect a 205 lb. player to be so dominant.

Secondly, what does this mean for the position? LeVeon Bell once freestyled in his driveway that he wanted $17 M’s when he was holding out. Derrick Henry was franchised and signed his tender without a hold out. We still have to see what Alvin Kamara gets.

And then there is Todd Gurley who signed a big deal just two years ago and is already on another team. This is my nightmare scenario for the Panthers. If the Panthers don’t change their offense there is no way McCaffrey can carry the ball 400 times a year for the next 4 years and make it worth the investment.

In a perfect world the Panthers will stock up the receiver core, get a extra lineman or two and find a way to replace Greg Olsen with another Pro Bowl type tight end.

If this contract is going to work Jerry Richardson can’t get cheap now. Yes McCaffrey is absolutely performing to get paid on that level but it won’t last long if you don’t get him any help.

Hopefully in the future more running backs will start to receive contracts in the range of 2 years/ $30M guaranteed. That will not only financially secure the player but also not commit the team long term financially to the skill player who gets hit the most. This is really the only thing that makes sense.

We’ll see how it all plays out but good luck to CMC and the Panthers in 2020.

Christian McCaffrey is becoming the highest-paid RB in NFL history, per @AdamSchefter.

Panthers star is signing a four-year extension worth $16M per year 💸 @brgridiron pic.twitter.com/sS7YJnQ1d8

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 13, 2020