Derrick Henry, Nick Chubb, James Conner’s combined contracts dwarfed by Juan Soto’s stratospheric $75,000,000 bonus
Running backs are not awarded big contracts as no RB in the NFL today makes $20 million or more per season. In perspective, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott became the highest-paid player in NFL history when he signed his six-year $240 million contract extension on Sept. 8.
Running backs, who are some of the most gifted athletes in the world, don't make much compared to other athletes such as MLB and NBA stars. A prime example is Juan Soto's new contract with the New York Mets.
Soto and the Mets agreed on the largest sports contract in history on Sunday — a 15-year $765 million deal. RBs are not earning anything close to that figure.
James Conner (two–year $19 million contract extension during 2024 season), Derrick Henry (two-year $16 million deal worth up to $20 million in 2024), and Nick Chubb (three-year $36.6 million in 2021) are three of the NFL's best RBs. Combined, their contracts equate to $71.6 million, and that total isn't guaranteed.
Soto's signing bonus, which is $75 million, is more than the total value of Conner, Henry and Chubb's contracts.
Only five current RBs make north of $10 million per season. RBs have the shortest average careers in the NFL and it's surprising to see how much other positions and other star players from other sports make compared to them.
Who is the highest-paid player in NFL history and who signed the largest contract in NFL history?
The highest-earning player in NFL history is New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers. As of 2024, Rodgers has earned just over $380 million in his career.
Rodgers is one of five players, including Matthew Stafford, Tom Brady, Russell Wilson and Matt Ryan to have earned more than $300 million.
While he isn't in the top five highest-paid earners, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes signed the largest contract in NFL history in 2020.
The Chiefs and Mahomes agreed on a 10-year $450 million deal, which at the time was the largest contract in all of sports. By the time he retires, Mahomes will likely be the highest earner in league history.