Fullback (gridiron football)

A fullback (FB) is a position in the offensive backfield in gridiron football and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback. Fullbacks are typically larger than halfbacks, and, in most offensive schemes, the fullback's duties are split among power running, pass catching, and blocking for both the quarterback and the other running back.^[1]

Many great runners in the history of American football have been fullbacks, including Jim Brown, Marion Motley, Bronko Nagurski, Jim Taylor, Franco Harris, Larry Csonka, John Riggins, Christian Okoye, and Levi Jackson. However, many of these runners would retroactively be labeled as halfbacks, due to their position as the primary ball carrier; they were primarily listed as fullbacks due to their size and did not often perform the run blocking duties expected of modern fullbacks. Examples of players who have excelled at the hybrid running–blocking–pass catching role include Vonta Leach, Mike Alstott, William Henderson, Daryl Johnston, Kyle Juszczyk, John Kuhn, Le'Ron McClain, Lorenzo Neal, Marcel Reece, Larry Centers and Tom Rathman.

A decline in the usage of fullbacks, particularly at the professional level occurred during the late 2000s to mid 2010s as teams began focusing more on passing as well as the increased popularity of personnel groupings and formations that omit the position. Modern-day offenses usually employ tight ends in formations that feature a fullback. The role of fullbacks as ball-carriers in the run game has decreased and most fullbacks only run the ball in rare instances, typically in short-yardage situations. The decline of the position peaked during the mid 2010s, where many NFL teams began phasing the position out of their offenses entirely. However, following the 2017 NFL Season the position saw a resurgence, with most teams using the position again by the 2020s after coaches following the position's evolution into more of a role similar to a tight end rather than a running back, with most NFL teams who do not carry an official fullback on their roster but still use the position in their offense usually using a hybrid tight end/fullback or a rotation of reserve tight ends at the position. The importance of fullbacks in the passing game (Kyle Juszczyk and Alec Ingold are both examples of contemporary fullbacks who are often used as receivers) has increased while many fullbacks or hybrid players who play another position while also being their team's primary fullback have also become core special teams players, (Derek Watt on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Reggie Gilliam on the Buffalo Bills, and hybrid linebacker/fullback Nick Bellore on the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions are all examples of contemporary fullbacks or fullback hybrids who were or are important special teams players. Watt was a Pro Bowl special teamer during the 2020 season and Bellore was a Pro Bowl special teamer during the 2020 and 2023 seasons).