For a long stretch, running backs rivaled quarterbacks in terms of importance in the NFL.
That impact has waned as the league moved toward a pass-first philosophy, but the value of a dynamic backfield remains. Find someone who can run the ball effectively — as well as catch passes and redirect blitzers — and you’ve got a rising tide for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Great runners can rack up more than 20 touches per game, throwing the spotlight on their position and building superstars. The proliferation of fantasy football into the zeitgeist only heightened the name recognition of workhorses, even as their roles shrunk. Running backs aren’t just important; they’re foundational to the fabric of football both real and imagined.
Some franchises had the scouting and luck to land multiple Hall of Famers. Others have rotated through platoons and retreads in search of someone capable of delivering consistent 1,000-yard seasons. While the footing at the top may not be equal, every team has a player who can stand atop their team’s mountain or gently sloped hill as the best, most successful runner to get it done.
That’s the argument we’re going to stir up today. Using overall impact, their team’s success and longevity, let’s figure out who the best running back in team history is for all 32 NFL franchises.
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