Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler still doesn’t sound too thrilled about the state of how his position group is being valued in the NFL.
While Ekeler’s contract dispute with the Chargers came to a temporary resolution in May, he still told Rich Eisen on the latter’s show on Thursday that star running backs still aren’t properly appreciated for what they bring to the field.
He concedes that there are two sides to the issue to consider, but that the value question is a major sticking point in contract negotiations.
“Let’s compare, let’s see what the real value-add to a team is,” Ekeler said in the interview. “If I’m looking at some of the backup receivers out here that are still making more than me, and that’s going to piss me off. … I’m like, okay, wait a minute. So, you’re telling me… the No. 3 receiver is going to make more than me, and I’m the starter? I get more carries; I touch the ball more. I have more of an impact. It causes us to question, right? We’re going to fight for that. We’re going to fight for, ‘Hey, I’m bringing more value to the team than this person. I think I should be compensated for that.'”
“Let’s compare, let’s see what the real value-add to a team is.” — the #BoltUp RB talked with us about the current state of the #NFL running back market: pic.twitter.com/ZiXcibOiDJ
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) July 13, 2023
Ekeler also mentioned that other running backs compare their value to others in their position group, specifically mentioning New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs wanting to be properly paid for their strong 2022 seasons.
To Ekeler, not being compensated according to value is going to make these star running backs want to stand their ground in negotiations.
“When we don’t get that, absolutely, we’re going to fight back,” Ekeler told Eisen. “We have no choice. … It seems like it’s about money, but it’s about principle, right? It’s about the principle of adding value to a team. But then I also get it from the other side. They’re like, ‘Hey, none of these other running backs are getting paid. Let’s just see what happens. Let’s franchise tag these guys, and then let’s wait a year. Let’s see what happens.’ … Both sides are playing this game, and how it turns out, time will tell.”
Ekeler is absolutely right that something’s got to give in the way the NFL values its running backs. He’s also right that this is a copycat league, and that teams are going to mimic their peers to justify not having to pay top-flight rushing talent if they can avoid it.
We haven’t a clue where any of this will go, but until guys like Ekeler, Barkley and Jacobs land major contracts to match their on-field play, don’t expect the running back payment conversation to change anytime soon.
