Final yr, the NFL offseason was dominated with information of broad receivers getting paid. This offseason, the most important headline has been working backs not getting paid.
Six gamers got the franchise tag this offseason: One quarterback, one tight finish, one defensive sort out and three working backs. The three working backs have been the solely gamers who didn’t conform to long-term offers earlier than the July 17 deadline. That is not all. The one participant who has rushed for 1,100 yards whereas making the Professional Bowl in every of the final 4 seasons (Dalvin Cook dinner) was straight-up launched, veterans like Kareem Hunt are nonetheless on the lookout for gigs and Austin Ekeler, who has scored extra touchdowns than any participant during the last two years, was denied a contract extension from the Los Angeles Chargers AND did not discover curiosity on the commerce market.
Ekeler has been vocal concerning the plight of the working again, saying he is upset to see backup broad receivers making more cash than him — a real pillar of an NFL offense. Throughout an interview on CBS Sports activities Radio with Zach Gelb, Ekeler stated he needs to listen to from NFL house owners on why working backs do not get the monetary safety they deserve.
“I have been fairly vocal about this simply because it is not good for our working again market so far as capital coming in, it is placing like a ceiling on it, there isn’t any new contracts being made, there isn’t any new comparables which might be truly related as a result of there’s been a set quantity set on guys,” stated Ekeler. “From a participant’s side, now we have no management of that. I’ve no management. So actually who we would like solutions from is the possession. Like, why are you doing this? What is the reasoning?”
Ekeler identified an fascinating double customary together with his personal state of affairs. When he was granted permission to hunt a commerce this offseason, he had bother discovering a companion. Ekeler advised Gelb he did not come near being traded, as a result of he got here with “baggage.” Not off-field baggage, however the Chargers wished priceless picks in return for one in all their offensive stars — the identical offensive star they did not wish to pay.
“It is form of fascinating,” stated Ekeler. “The place it is like, ‘Oh, in the event you’re gonna get traded, you gotta get traded at this stage, but when we’re gonna hold you, we’re gonna hold you down at this stage.'”
A number of working backs across the NFL have spoken out about this ongoing controversy. The truth is, in response to Professional Soccer Speak, veteran working backs have organized a gaggle textual content chain the place they’re discussing methods for enhancing their conditions.
“You poked the bear, and you are going to must make us do one thing,” Ekeler stated.”