Despite being essential playmakers on the field, running backs frequently receive little compensation during contract discussions. Many players from across the league contend that the existing market does not fairly compensate running backs for the value and contribution they make to the game. They also push for a more equitable pay scale.
Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans posted a tweet stating that at this point the running back position is viewed as unimportant. He also expressed his feelings that no matter how hard a player works, he will be disregarded in the end. The views shared by Derrick are the same among the running backs across the NFL and have now become a point of contention between them and the NFL owners.
Austin Ekeler strongly demands that NFL owners address the RB situation.
Austin Ekeler, the running back for the Los Angeles Chargers came out in an interview and said that he wanted the logical reasoning behind putting a virtual cap on the running back positions by the NFL owners. He was disheartened at the fact the owners are trying to pay less to the running backs and are investing the extra money in quarterbacks.
Ekeler went on to say how important running backs are to the team and how the NFL owners have tried to minimize the value so that they can invest it in other ventures.
INTERESTING: Los Angeles #Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler tells @ZachGelb that he wants to hear from #NFL owners as to why running backs aren't getting paid.
He also says he was not close to getting traded due to the high picks LAC wanted in return for him, which is… pic.twitter.com/7gHCR7AgsA
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 18, 2023
Austin also said that when he was about to get traded, the Los Angeles Chargers demanded high picks in the coming drafts in return for him, which made him a high-value deal and no team wanted him. But the same is not reflected in terms of value when it is about getting paid.
Christian McCaffrey shares his thoughts on the NFL RB situation.
McCaffrey, the running back for the San Francisco 49ers, also shared his thoughts on the running back situation in the NFL. McCaffrey replied to a tweet shared by NFL reporter Dov Kleiman, in which Christian said that “This is Criminal” commenting on the situation of the Running back. Christian expressed his views that three of the best players in the NFL are not getting long-term contracts just because they play at running back positions.
In the tweet, McCaffrey was talking about Giants Saquon Barkley, Raiders Josh Jacobs, and Cowboys Tony Pollard. The players are being forced to play with one year NFL franchise tag which offers them little scope in the future.
The Running backs are getting only short-term deals or are given an NFL franchise tag which seals their fate. The player has to either accept the tag and enter into a one-year deal with the franchise at an average salary or have to take the risk of sitting out for the season. Either way, it is not leaving much of a choice for players. Will the NFL owners take this issue in hand and improve the situation of running backs, only the future will tell.
