In today’s NFL, the days of running backs dominating the field seem like a distant memory. Most teams now prefer to spread the workload, keeping their backs fresh for the long haul. With the 17-game season, it’s even more surprising that we didn’t see a single running back with over 300 carries last season! Compare that to 20 years ago, when nine players crossed the 300-carry mark, and it’s clear how much the game has changed. Curtis Martin led the league with 371 carries back in 2004, and that volume level is almost unthinkable today.
Still, NFL history is rich with incredible running back performances. Records set by legends seem nearly untouchable, but they provide a window into an era when running backs carried their teams — literally. Let’s take a look at some of the most impressive single-season and career held by these running backs. With the game’s evolution, some of these marks might stand forever.
Single-Season NFL Running Back Records
Some seasons are iconic, producing numbers that still leave fans in awe. Here are the top single-season records for rushing yards, touchdowns, and carries.
NFL Season Rushing Yards Record
- Eric Dickerson – 2,105 yards (1984)
- Adrian Peterson – 2,097 yards (2012)
- Jamal Lewis – 2,066 yards (2003)
Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 rushing yards from 1984 has stood the test of time. He’s still the only player to rush for more than 2,100 yards in a single season. Adrian Peterson came incredibly close in 2012, falling just eight yards short despite rushing for 199 yards in his final game
O.J. Simpson deserves a special shout-out here. He was the first player to crack 2,000 rushing yards — in a 14-game season back in 1973. Simpson’s 143.1 rushing yards per game are still unmatched, and if we extrapolate his average over a 16-game season, he would have rushed for an insane 2,289.6 yards!
NFL Season Rushing Touchdowns Record
- LaDainian Tomlinson – 28 touchdowns (2006)
- Shaun Alexander – 27 touchdowns (2005)
- Priest Holmes – 27 touchdowns (2003)
Between 2003 and 2006, the NFL saw the rushing touchdown record broken or tied thrice! Priest Holmes set the mark with 27 TDs in 2003, Shaun Alexander matched it in 2005, and then LaDainian Tomlinson raised the bar to 28 touchdowns in 2006. What makes Tomlinson’s record even more jaw-dropping is that he scored all 28 touchdowns in just 14 games — he didn’t find the end zone in his final two outings that season. Since then, no one has come close. Adrian Peterson and LeGarrette Blount maxed out at 18 rushing touchdowns in a season.
NFL Season Carries Record
- Larry Johnson – 416 attempts (2006)
- Jamal Anderson – 410 attempts (1998)
- James Wilder – 407 attempts (1984)
Larry Johnson holds the crown for most rushing attempts in a single season, with a mind-blowing 416 carries in 2006. This kind of workload is virtually unheard of in today’s NFL, where backs are rotated far more frequently. Unfortunately, Johnson’s career peaked in that season, as injuries and wear-and-tear limited him to just 535 carries over the next five years. Jamal Anderson and James Wilder, who also crossed the 400-carry mark, similarly saw their careers decline rapidly after their record-setting seasons.
Career NFL Running Back Records
While single seasons may be spectacular, longevity is what truly cements a running back’s place in the NFL history books. These career records represent a lifetime of hard work and durability.
NFL Career Rushing Yards Record
- Emmitt Smith – 18,355 yards (1990-2004)
- Walter Payton – 16,726 yards (1975-1987)
- Frank Gore – 16,000 yards (2005-2020)
Emmitt Smith’s 18,355 career rushing yards are legendary, and it’s a record that seems like it might last forever. Smith averaged over 1,200 rushing yards per season for 15 years, which is remarkable consistency. He took the crown from Walter Payton in 2002, who had previously passed Jim Brown’s mark. While Payton’s record was impressive, Smith blew past it, adding 4,414 yards more than Brown’s career total.
Frank Gore climbed to third on the all-time rushing list in recent years with 16,000 yards. His longevity was impressive, but even he finished over 2,000 yards short of Smith.
NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Record
- Emmitt Smith – 164 touchdowns (1990-2004)
- LaDainian Tomlinson – 145 touchdowns (2001-2011)
- Marcus Allen – 123 touchdowns (1982-1997)
Smith also holds the career rushing touchdown record with 164 scores, another record that seems out of reach. LaDainian Tomlinson looked like he might be able to challenge this mark, with 138 touchdowns through nine seasons. However, injuries caught up with him, and he finished his career 19 touchdowns short.
Among active players, Derrick Henry leads the way with 90 rushing touchdowns, ranking 13th all-time. Ezekiel Elliott is second among active backs, with 71 touchdowns — but he’s only 32nd on the all-time list.
NFL Career Carries Record
- Emmitt Smith – 4,409 attempts (1990-2004)
- Walter Payton – 3,838 attempts (1975-1987)
- Frank Gore – 3,735 attempts (2005-2020)
Smith’s 4,409 career carries are another example of his durability. He averaged nearly 294 rushing attempts per season, which feels impossibly high in today’s NFL. Payton wasn’t far behind, averaging 295 carries per season.
For comparison, no running back in the 2023 season even reached 300 carries, making this record one of the hardest to break. Among active players, Ezekiel Elliott leads the pack with 2,065 career carries, with Derrick Henry close behind at 2,030.
