Chargers News: Austin Ekeler Raises Concerns Over Running Backs' Pay Disparity
The life of an NFL running back isn't easy. You could be the hero and savior for a franchise one minute, and the next, you're disposed of like two-day-old milk.
It's a sad a cruel thing, but that's also the nature of the business in the NFL. However, there are those few in the position that stand out the most and thrive for many years. One of those players, fortunately, plays for the Los Angeles Chargers Austin Ekeler. Ekeler will enter his sixth season in the NFL, all with the Bolts, and it's been a pleasure to watch him play the running back position and be multi-facet in it.
The 28-year-old has redefined the position along with other great RBs in the league, but still, they are not being treated like it when it comes to their contract.
The star running back requested a trade in March from the Chargers, not because he wanted to leave, but because he wanted to get paid. He's outperforming his contract and felt like he deserved more than what he was getting, and you can't fault him for that.
LA was fortunate enough to give him some incentives, and he will be back to play out the one year left in his contract, but that doesn't mean the fight stops.
Ekeler was a caller on the Rich Eisen show and displayed his frustration over the disrespect to his position and how other positions are being overvalued over his.
"If I'm looking at some of the backup receivers out here that are still making more than me, that's going to piss me off, right? I'm a little bit like, 'OK, wait a minute, so you're telling me these people are the No. 3 receivers and they're 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. I'm bringing more value to the team than this person. I think I should be compensated for that. ... It seems like it's about money, but it's about principles. It's about the principle of adding value to a team."
Ekeler wants his money, and he's not shy to let it be known. The numbers prove it, the productivity proves it, and he will continue to show it in his contract year.
He has proven himself to be one of the most versatile backs the league has seen, but his job is not done.
In recent years, teams in the NFL have been hesitant to invest heavily in running backs due to concerns about injuries and a potential decline in performance. This cautious approach is reflected in the decisions made during the most recent offseason.
For example, players like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard were given the franchise tag, indicating that their respective teams valued them but were not ready to commit to a long-term contract. Then you have Dalvin Cook, who was recently released by the Vikings due to concerns about his durability.
Unfortunately for Austin Ekeler, even if he has another exceptional season statistically, it may not be enough to change the Los Angeles Chargers' position on his future with the team. He's inching closer to 30 years old, which is usually when many running backs start to see a decline in their play that teams aren't willing to pay for.
The fear of a drop-off in performance or increased susceptibility to injuries as a player gets older is a significant factor that influences teams' decisions regarding running backs.
Nonetheless, it's clear Austin is not only fighting for himself but the other backs who have been thrown to the curb, scratching and clawing their way for a spot on any team.
The position is not an attractive one at the moment, but Ekeler is poised to bring it back up by doing his job on the gridiron and through his voice.
