Upon the news that the Kansas City Chiefs had inked Jamaal Charles to a new two-year deal, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jamaal would be the second highest paid running back in the NFL. That is true ... kinda.
2nd highest paid in 2014
For the 2014 season, Charles is indeed the second highest paid running back. He went from $3.9 million in 2014 cash on his previous deal to $8.3 million on the new deal. That $8.3 million is slightly ahead of Jonathan Stewart's $8.285 million due in 2014, making him the second highest paid running back in 2014. Adrian Peterson's $12 million per year so obviously an outlier.
7th highest average per year
For the life of the contract, the contract ties Jamaal with Ray Rice for the seventh highest average per year for running backs. His $28 million over four years averages out to $7 million per year. Jonathan Stewart, Marshawn Lynch, Matt Forte, Arian Foster, LeSean McCoy and Adrian Peterson all have higher annual averages than Jamaal.
Some of these other contracts were signed in the last few years and each year the running back market declines. It's becoming less and less of a position where players are paid premium dollars. Considering this is how Jamaal previously stacked up to other backs, I consider this a win for both sides.
*Numbers came via Over The Cap.