Chargers’ Austin Ekeler sets up Zoom with fellow running backs in effort to combat depleting market: report

A number of veteran NFL operating backs reportedly started a group chat to debate why their market is disappearing and the way they’ll enhance the scenario.

Los Angeles Chargers operating again Austin Thank you has reportedly arrange a Zoom name with different backs to debate their declining salaries and demand.

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Monday’s lack of contract extensions for three key running backs drew the eye of backs throughout the league.

Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard all have been unable to return to long-term agreements with their respective groups earlier than Monday’s deadline, leaving them with the choice to both maintain out or play underneath a franchise tag.

Ekeler and different operating backs have been vocal about it this week.

“That is the type of trash that has artificially devalued one of the vital vital positions within the recreation,” Ekeler, who dealt together with his personal contract drama this offseason, tweeted. “Everybody is aware of it is robust to win and not using a high RB and but they act like we’re discardable widgets. I help any RB doing no matter it takes to get his bag.”

“At this level, simply take the RB place out of the sport then,” added Derrick Henry of the Tennessee Titans, who’s coming into the ultimate 12 months of his four-year, $50 million deal. “Those that wish to be nice & work as exhausting as they’ll to provide their all to a company, simply looks like it don’t even matter. I’m with each RB that’s combating to get what they deserve.”

Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers throughout a recreation in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium Dec. 26, 2022, in Indianapolis. (Michael Hickey/Getty Photos)

“1. If you happen to’re adequate, they’ll discover you. 2. If you happen to work exhausting sufficient, you’ll succeed.… If you happen to succeed… 3. You enhance the Group… after which… Doesn’t matter, you’re a RB,” mentioned Indianapolis Colts‘ Jonathan Taylor.

It isn’t simply Barkley, Jacobs and Pollard who aren’t getting paid. Dalvin Cook dinner, Ezekiel Elliott and Leonard Fournette are amongst high operating backs nonetheless available on the market with coaching camps imminent. Ekeler even requested a commerce.

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The operating again market has been devalued as a result of groups have discovered draft picks on rookie contracts are as efficient as veterans.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ Isiah Pacheco was a seventh-round rookie final season who ended up beginning within the Tremendous Bowl in February. The Houston Texans love what Dameon Pierce, a fourth-round decide, delivered to the desk as a rookie final season, and he’s slated to begin as soon as once more in 2023.

Los Angeles Chargers operating again Austin Ekeler (30) evades a sort out from Los Angeles Rams security Taylor Rapp as he runs towards the top zone for a landing throughout a recreation Jan. 1, 2023, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photograph/Mark J. Terrill)

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The final operating again to signal a contract price $10 million or extra per season was Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns. He signed a three-year, $36.6 million pact with $20 million assured in 2021.

Fox Information’ Scott Thompson contributed to this report.