The Carolina Panthers are making Christian McCaffrey the highest-paid running back in the history of the NFL. His new four-year extension is worth a total of $64 million, which is even more than the team committed to starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Anytime a running back gets paid these days it generates a healthy discussion among football fans and analysts on social media. Some people believe that McCaffrey is worth every penny of his new deal – others are adamant that running backs don’t matter.
Here are 22 different takes from Twitter that offer a wide range of thoughts on the subject.
Face of the franchise
Never had a doubt about it.
Like it or not, for better or worse, Christian McCaffrey is the new face of the Carolina Panthers.— ëVan (@ThatPanthersGuy) April 13, 2020
Hate to say it
I hate to say it but we are about to run Christian McCaffrey in the ground faster than we did Cam.
— Mansa 👑 (@SageWords_) April 13, 2020
Valuation $18 million?
Christian McCaffrey carried an $18M valuation in our system mostly because he’s been a WR2 as much as an RB1 for the #Panthers in his first three seasons. Versatility will always pay. https://t.co/rMWRVf5zAD
— Spotrac (@spotrac) April 13, 2020
PFF: WAR = YIKES
Christian McCaffrey:
Most valuable RB in 2019 per PFF WAR.
137 most valuable player in 2019 per PFF WAR. pic.twitter.com/hYOfaiRbS4
— PFF (@PFF) April 13, 2020
Quit complaining
Panthers fans are really complaining about McCaffrey getting an extension..you mf’s are weird.
— Nick Tags (@ntags89_) April 13, 2020
Every penny
McCaffrey deserves EVERY PENNY of that 64 million dollar contract…
Debate nothing
— 𓃵 (@Goaty_Szn) April 13, 2020
Going to be interesting
Cut Cam and make McCaffrey the highest paid rb in history! Sure Panther fans can’t wait to see what comes of this investment…he does amass quite the workload for that offense and is a stud so it’s going to be interesting…
— J. 'Hopp'er🏁🏁🏁 (@DatDude_Hopp) April 13, 2020
Grossly overpaying
McCaffrey averaged 7.3 yds/target last 2 seasons, the average for WR/TE is 8.3. So yea he’s awesome but this deal is grossly overpaying for what he’ll produce on the field.
— George Chahrouri (@PFF_George) April 13, 2020
RBs don’t win games
Mccaffrey’s last two seasons when he took off as “the best all around back in the league” 2018 and 2019 the panthers have finished 3rd and 4th in their division.
Running backs don’t win games
— . (@GroovyBenji_14) April 13, 2020
More than a RB
Seriously tho, McCaffrey is more than a RB. Deserves every dime
— Sizwe 🇿🇦🏁 (@yungbravado) April 13, 2020
Getting off cheap
Carolina is gettin off cheap here! Good for McCaffrey.
— Joshua Stepanek (@DrunkMunk888) April 13, 2020
Yes and yes
Do I think Christian McCaffrey is the most deserving of that type of money out of all running backs in the league? Yes. Do I still think NFL teams shouldn’t pay running backs that kind of money? Yes.
— 360°FantasyFootball (@360FFB) April 13, 2020
Now trade him?
the only thing the panthers have to do now is trade McCaffrey and they got it right
— quigs (@liamquigs) April 13, 2020
A difference maker
Devaluation of RBs is real. But for #Panthers, Christian McCaffrey is worth every penny on that $16M per season extension. Best RB in Football, Face of the Franchise…. A difference maker. MUST keep the tread on his tires in check for when Panthers are ready to contend…
— Chad Forbes (@NFLDraftBites) April 13, 2020
Not a WR
Christian McCaffrey is an immensely talented athlete but if he were as valuable as a wide receiver as he is as a running back he would be playing wide receiver.
— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@FO_ASchatz) April 13, 2020
Dumb deal
McCaffrey doubling as a slot receiver doesn’t really make his deal any less dumb. You know who else played big roles in their teams passing games before getting huge deals? David Johnson, Todd Gurley, and Le’veon Bell. How are those contracts going?
— Sports 🤠 (@badermvpszn) April 13, 2020
Can’t pay them, can’t not pay them
It has to be tough to be a team with a star running back. You can't pay them, but you also cant NOT pay them. I'm really interested in seeing what the structure and guarantees of the McCaffrey deal shake out to. Either way, good on him for getting big money.
— notanalytics (@not_analytics) April 13, 2020
A different breed
“HiStoRicAlLy sPeAkiNg.. PaYiNg rUnNinG bAcKs iSnT sMaRt”
MCCAFFREY A DIFFERENT BREED
— 𓃵 (@Goaty_Szn) April 13, 2020
What are they doing?
I think it’s fair to say that I’m glad Christian McCaffrey was locked up for the long-term but I still have no idea what the #Panthers are actually doing.
— Jared Feinberg (@JrodDraftScout) April 13, 2020
Aging gracefully
I know this will make the “don’t pay the RB” crowd lose their minds.
However, McCaffrey (and Kamara) should age gracefully at the position because their A+ pass catchers. They can make their mark in the passing game and tally significant scrimmage yards. https://t.co/g1BgR4FaLD
— Bucky Brooks (@BuckyBrooks) April 13, 2020
Awesome for everyone
This Christian McCaffrey deal is awesome for everyone. Dude is electric
— Lebasaurus (@klebsack47) April 13, 2020
Overpay
While I agree that Hurney has been a terrible GM for the #Panthers not once but twice…
I also think this overpay for Christian McCaffrey is “co-signed” by owner David Tepper. https://t.co/577aj5nxyl
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌️ (@PanthersAnalyst) April 13, 2020
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