Star RBs meet on Zoom to talk state of position

A number of star NFL working backs took half in a Zoom name on Saturday to debate the depressed marketplace for gamers at their place.

Cleveland Browns working again Nick Chubb confirmed Sunday he participated within the name and stated Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey additionally have been within the assembly. Josh Jacobs additionally took half, a supply advised ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.

ProFootballTalk.com, which first reported the information, reported the assembly was organized by the Los Angeles Chargers‘ Austin Thank youwho has been outspoken about NFL working backs not being paid their true value.

The supply advised Fowler that the working backs kicked round concepts throughout the name, however no main plans emerged from the assembly.

“Proper now, there’s actually nothing we are able to do,” Chubb stated Sunday. “We’re form of handcuffed with the state of affairs. We’re the one place that our manufacturing hurts us essentially the most. If we go on the market and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the following 12 months they will say, you are most likely worn down. It is powerful. … It hurts us on the finish of the day.”

Barkley and Jacobs acquired the franchise tag from the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raidersrespectively, however have been unable to comply with long-term contracts earlier than Monday’s deadline. Neither participant has signed their franchise tender, value $10.091 million for working backs, and aren’t anticipated to report back to coaching camp with the remainder of their groups, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported. The 2 unsigned stars will lose cash provided that they miss regular-season video games and forfeit sport checks.

Barkley stated on the “The Cash Issues” podcast that was recorded earlier than the deadline for franchised gamers to comply with long-term offers that he has thought of not taking part in for the Giants this season amid his stalemate with the crew.

The Dallas Cowboys‘ Tony Pollard additionally acquired the franchise tag, however not like Barkley and Jacobs, has signed his tender.

After the three working backs have been unable to comply with long-term offers earlier than the deadline, a number of outstanding working backs took to Twitter to specific their displeasure over the monetary state of their place, together with Henry, McCaffrey, Ekeler and the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ Najee Harris.

“We’re positively in a tricky state of affairs, working backs as an entire. Saquon’s an incredible participant and you may ask anybody across the league and even on the Giants how a lot he means to that crew. So it is laborious seeing him not get what he deserves,” Chubb stated Sunday.

The final time a working again signed a long-term contract value $10 million or extra per season was the Browns’ Chubb in 2021. Chubb’s contract runs by way of the 2024 season, however he has no assured cash after this season.

“I do know it may be me at some point,” Chubb stated. “I am simply form of taking part in each side. I am right here for my crew. However I am additionally understanding the state of affairs I might be in.”

McCaffrey is at the moment the highest-paid working again, averaging simply over $16 million per season in a contract he signed when he was with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Now with the San Franciso 49ers, his contract runs by way of the 2025 season.

ESPN’s Jake Trotter contributed to this report.