It’s a generation of people who grew up on fantasy football where the running back was the most valuable position in that game and they are letting their nostalgia blind them.
Exactly. There are "bad contracts" at every single position, no one is disputing that. However, QB's have a longer shelf life, are more protected than HB's, and clearly are a more important position. No one is going to say Daniel Jones is better at his position than Jonathan Taylor is at his, but that doesn't mean Taylor should command more money.
Let's go back 15 years, and I would love someone to point out which teams didn't have an excellent QB playing for them THAT season, or a proven QB that had had excellent seasons already. Go with both the the AFC and NFC Champion.
2022: Mahomes and Hurts
2021: Stafford and Burrow
2020: Brady and Mahomes
2019: Jimmy G and Mahomes
2018: Brady and Goff
2017: Wentz and Brady
2016: Brady and Ryan
2015: P. Manning/Osweiller and Newton
2014: Brady and Wilson
2013: Wilson and P. Manning
2012: Flacco and Kap
2011: E. Manning and Brady
2010: Rodgers and Big Ben
2009: Brees and P. Manning
2008: Big Ben and Warner
People will likely point out Stafford, Jimmy G, Goff, washed up Manning, Flacco, and Kap. Those teams either had excellent offenses that season (largely in part to their QB) or excellent defenses with them. Those teams did not all have top end and top paid HB's.
It is clear as day that you can't compare HB's getting paid to QB's.