It isn’t as ironclad as it used to be. Last year, Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell didn’t play while under the franchise tag of $14.54 million and sat out the entire year. Now Melvin Gordon is threatening to sit out the entire season if his contract isn’t worked out. He is in the final year of his five-year rookie deal and he wants a new contract.
I get it. The running back position has been immune to the new rules governing limited practice time, number of hits, etc. The running back has morphed into a three-down versatile back that is asked to run between the tackles, catch passes and be able to block.