AI Summary
5 min readThe NFL Has Finally Stopped Being Stupid About Running Backs
The Detroit Lions just made Jameer Gibbs the highest-paid running back in NFL history at $22.5 million per year, and Ben Maller's reaction is characteristically skeptical. "Does this Jameer Gibbs deal with the Lions come with a satisfaction guarantee?" he asks. "I have two letters. NO." But the punchline is that Maller actually approves of the broader trend. After years of teams refusing to pay running backs, three massive deals in quick succession—Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, Jonathan Taylor in Indianapolis, and now Gibbs in Detroit—signal something real. The NFL has finally cracked the code. And the code is simple: pay elite backs premium money for short contracts, then get out before the wheels fall off.
The Old Model Was Always Dumb
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What you'll learn
- 1 (02:50) **Hall of Fame Game Recap** - Maller recaps the preseason opener between the Panthers and Cardinals, noting it was a game between two bad teams won on a last-second touchdown
- 2 (05:34) **Carson Beck's Preseason Hype** - Maller addresses the buzz around Cardinals rookie quarterback Carson Beck after completing 15 of 19 passes in the Hall of Fame game
- 3 (10:54) **Mike Tomlin's Broadcasting Debut** - Maller gives his first impressions of Mike Tomlin's debut as an NBC studio analyst, calling it a massive upgrade over predecessor Tony Dungy
- 4 (14:13) **Sean McDermott's Media Tour** - Maller analyzes former Bills coach Sean McDermott's public comments after being fired, where McDermott expressed no bitterness and touted his Buffalo accomplishments
- 5 (23:52) **Jahmyr Gibbs' Record Extension** - Maller discusses Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs signing a three-year, $67.5 million extension making him the highest-paid RB in NFL history
- 6 (30:31) **Jonathan Taylor's Colts Extension** - Maller covers Jonathan Taylor's two-year, $44 million extension with Indianapolis, calling it a "win-win" for both sides
- 7 (34:55) **Has the NFL Cracked the RB Code?** - Maller argues the NFL has finally figured out how to pay running backs, shredding the old long-term contract model
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Big Ben talks about the Panthers defeating the Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game while Cardinals QB Carson Beck dominated the show, Jahmyr Gibbs getting his big contract, Maller to the Third Degree, Lame Jokes of the Week, and more!
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