GREEN BAY, Wis. — A number of seasoned running backs who shifted teams during the offseason are seizing the opportunity to showcase their skills in the playoffs. With a competitive market available, many strong contenders have strengthened their rosters by adding experienced ball-carriers, resulting in significant benefits for those teams.
Among the notable players who have embraced this playoff opportunity are Saquon Barkley of Philadelphia, Derrick Henry from Baltimore, and Josh Jacobs of Green Bay. Barkley underscored the team’s objective of not just individual accolades when he mentioned that winning a Super Bowl was the primary focus, rather than attempting to surpass Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. After previously spending seven seasons with the New York Giants, where his sole playoff experience revolved around a two-game excursion to the 2022 divisional round, Barkley is eager for new chances in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, Jacobs claims his purpose is not only to participate in the playoffs but to secure a Super Bowl victory after only a single playoff game in his previous five seasons with the Raiders.
This coming Sunday, the Eagles (14-3) will face off against the Packers (11-6) in the wild-card round, setting the stage for these dynamic players to make their mark. Jacobs emphasized his commitment to giving his all for the team, declaring that achieving a Super Bowl championship is his only focus.
The regular season has been notably impressive for these veteran running backs who have changed teams. Historically, only three running backs have rushed for over 1,200 yards with different teams since 2010, but this season witnessed a significant increase with Barkley, Henry, and Jacobs joining the ranks. Barkley led the league with 2,005 yards, following his previous averages over 1,300 yards in seasons 2018 and 2022. Henry, who was a two-time rushing leader at Tennessee, concluded the season with 1,921 yards, while Jacobs, who topped the charts in 2022, ended with 1,329 yards.
The transition to winning teams proved beneficial, with Barkley more than doubling his rushing total from 962 yards in New York. Jacobs’s season began slowly due to a holdout, but he finished strong with 805 yards, while Henry’s 1,167 yards marked a decline from his peak performance.
Tiki Barber, a former running back who accumulated over 10,000 yards in his career, expressed that running backs flourish within the right framework, which includes a capable offensive line and a diversified offensive strategy. He noted that in the past, Barkley had to shoulder the Giants’ offensive responsibilities largely on his own, leading to inefficiencies.
The positive impact of fresh starts extends beyond Barkley, Henry, and Jacobs. For instance, the Packers allowed Aaron Jones to sign elsewhere, where he thrived, achieving a personal best with 1,138 yards after joining the Minnesota Vikings. Other running backs, such as Joe Mixon who rushed for 1,016 yards with the Texans after a lengthy stint with Cincinnati, have also excelled in their new settings.
Their new teams have reaped immediate rewards, as demonstrated by the Eagles’ impressive turnaround from 11-6 last year to 14-3 this season. Similarly, the Packers improved from 9-8 to 11-6 while Minnesota, which struggled last year at 7-10, has surged to 14-3 with the leadership of Jones in its ground game.
Jones highlighted the trend of running backs gaining newfound recognition when questioned about their recent prominence in league discussions. He emphatically declared, “Running backs matter!”—underlining the value these players bring to their teams.
Henry, already a clear indicator of how crucial running backs can be in determining playoff successes, recalled his commanding performances leading the Titans to the AFC Championship game in 2019. After two consecutive years missed from the playoffs, Henry is focused on bringing his talents to hunt for a Super Bowl title.
While it’s too early to forecast whether this year’s successful transitions among running backs will lead to a larger trend in the league, the contrast is apparent. With Jones exploring free agency offerings and a depleted class of star running backs compared to the previous spring, teams might reassess their strategies moving forward.
The contributions of these veteran running backs have undoubtedly made a mark this season, with their performance serving as proof of their value. Packers center Josh Myers reiterated this sentiment, asserting that the success of teams that invested in veteran running backs illustrates their ongoing significance in this evolving league.
Former players like Barber take pride in witnessing the resurgence of running back importance, acknowledging that while the league has leaned heavily on quarterbacks, the influence of a talented running back is palpable and felt on both sides of the ball.
