The relationship between a franchise and its star player is usually built on mutual benefit, but the history of the Oakland Raiders running back position is defined by a bizarre, decade-long cold war. If you mention "Raiders running backs" to any fan over the age of forty, they don't just think about touchdowns. They think about Al Davis. They think about a legendary benching that made no sense. They think about Bo Jackson’s freak athleticism and the "Superstars" competition. It's a heavy legacy.
Marcus Allen is the name that towers over everyone else. He was the first player in NFL history to gain 10,000 rushing yards and 5,000 receiving yards. That is insane. He won the Heisman. He won the NFL MVP. He was the Super Bowl XVIII MVP. Yet, for a significant chunk of his prime, the most talented Oakland Raiders running back in history was essentially a backup. Why? Because Al Davis, the man who lived and breathed Silver and Black, decided he didn't like him.
The Al Davis vs. Marcus Allen Feud
It sounds like a movie script. You have the most recognizable player on the team, a guy who ran for 191 yards in a Super Bowl, and his owner is actively trying to ruin his career. During the late 80s and early 90s, the Raiders’ backfield became a psychological battlefield. Davis famously called Allen "a cancer on the team." Honestly, it was a power struggle that Allen couldn't win because Davis owned the team.
The tension reached a breaking point in 1992. During a Monday Night Football broadcast, Allen did an interview that remains one of the most candid moments in sports history. He told Al Michaels, "He's trying to ruin my career. He's trying to stop me from going to the Hall of Fame. He's kept me from playing." This wasn't just typical locker room drama; it was a public execution of the team's internal politics. Imagine a modern star like Christian McCaffrey or Saquon Barkley saying that about their owner on national TV today. The internet would literally melt.
Bo Jackson: The Ultimate "What If"
While the Allen drama was simmering, the Raiders pulled off one of the greatest heists in sports history by drafting Bo Jackson. Jackson was already a baseball star for the Kansas City Royals. He treated football as a "hobby." Think about that for a second. Playing as an Oakland Raiders running back—one of the most physically demanding jobs on the planet—was just something he did for fun during his baseball off-season.
📖 Related: Barry Sanders Shoes Nike: What Most People Get Wrong
Bo was a physical anomaly. He was 230 pounds and ran a 4.12 40-yard dash. In 1987, against the Seattle Seahawks, he ran over Brian Bosworth in a moment that is still replayed every single week on sports networks. But Bo's arrival was also the tool Davis used to further marginalize Marcus Allen. By bringing in Bo, Davis had the perfect excuse to keep Allen on the bench.
The tragedy, of course, is that Bo Jackson’s career ended in a 1991 playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A routine tackle resulted in a dislocated hip and a rare condition called avascular necrosis. Just like that, the most explosive athlete to ever wear a Raiders uniform was done. It changed the trajectory of the franchise forever.
The Forgotten Grinders: From Marv Hubbard to Napoleon Kaufman
People forget that before the glitz of the LA years, the Oakland Raiders running back room was defined by guys like Marv Hubbard. Hubbard was a human battering ram. He wasn't flashy. He didn't have Bo's speed or Allen's grace. He just hit people. Between 1971 and 1973, he was the engine of the Raiders' offense, making three straight Pro Bowls. He represented the "Old Oakland" identity—tough, mean, and reliable.
Then you have the 1990s transition. After Allen left for the Chiefs (where he proved he was still elite, by the way) and Bo's career ended, the Raiders turned to Napoleon Kaufman. Kaufman was the polar opposite of the power backs. He was tiny. He was lightning fast. In 1997, he set a then-franchise record with 1,293 rushing yards. Kaufman was a breath of fresh air, but he retired early to pursue the ministry, leaving another "what could have been" hole in the roster.
👉 See also: Arizona Cardinals Depth Chart: Why the Roster Flip is More Than Just Kyler Murray
The Modern Struggle for Identity
When the Raiders moved back to Oakland and eventually to Las Vegas, the search for a consistent identity at running back continued. Josh Jacobs is the standout of the modern era. In 2022, Jacobs led the league in rushing with 1,653 yards. He was the heartbeat of the team. But in a move that felt eerily reminiscent of the old Al Davis days, the team and Jacobs entered a bitter contract dispute that eventually led to his departure.
It seems to be a recurring theme for the Raiders. They find a generational talent at running back, and then things get... messy. Whether it's contract disputes, personal feuds, or career-ending injuries, the Oakland Raiders running back position carries a weird kind of "greatness with a side of chaos" energy.
How to Analyze a Raiders RB for Your Fantasy Team or Stats
If you're looking at Raiders players from a statistical perspective, you have to account for the "Raider Way." This team historically loves the vertical passing game, which often opens up massive lanes for the running back. However, they also have a habit of using a "committee" approach when they don't have a clear superstar.
- Check the Offensive Line Continuity. The Raiders’ most successful rushing seasons (the mid-70s, the early 2000s) coincided with Hall of Fame-level line play. If the line is shuffling, the RB will struggle, regardless of talent.
- Look for the "Identity Coach." When the Raiders have a coach who wants to "bully" opponents (like John Madden or Tom Flores), the lead back gets 25+ carries. Under more pass-heavy regimes, the RB stats become diluted.
- The "Chip on the Shoulder" Factor. Almost every great Oakland Raiders running back was someone other teams passed on or undervalued. From Jim Plunkett (QB but part of that underdog era) to Tyrone Wheatley, this franchise thrives on "reclamation projects."
The Impact of the Move to Las Vegas
The transition from being an Oakland Raiders running back to a Las Vegas Raiders running back changed the optics, but not the pressure. In Oakland, the crowd was the "Black Hole"—intimidating, gritty, and loud. In Vegas, it’s a spectacle. The turf is different, the climate is controlled, and the expectations are massive.
✨ Don't miss: Anthony Davis USC Running Back: Why the Notre Dame Killer Still Matters
The Raiders’ rushing attack in the 2020s has struggled with consistency. While Josh Jacobs was a star, the depth behind him often faltered. The team is currently in a phase of trying to rediscover that "power run" identity that defined their Super Bowl wins in the 70s and 80s. They want to be the team that wears you down in the fourth quarter.
Honestly, the history of this position is a lesson in human ego and talent management. Marcus Allen should have played his entire career in the Silver and Black. Bo Jackson should have had ten years of highlights. But the Raiders have always been a team that does things their own way, for better or worse.
What You Can Do Next
To truly understand the nuances of the Oakland Raiders running back legacy, you should watch the "A Football Life" documentary on Marcus Allen. It provides a raw look at the Davis-Allen feud that numbers alone can't explain. If you're looking at current roster moves, pay close attention to the team's salary cap allocation toward the offensive line. Historically, a Raiders RB is only as good as the bruisers in front of him.
Study the 1983 season specifically. It's the blueprint. If you want to see what perfect Raiders football looks like, watch the film of Marcus Allen against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVIII. It’s the gold standard for every back who has put on that jersey since. You'll see the vision, the cutback lanes, and the sheer defiance that defines the franchise. That's the bar. Every new back is chasing that ghost.