The declining pay of NFL running backs is the biggest story in the league right now, and a pair of stars from the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Chargers unloaded on one of the more confusing trends in the sport.
In the previous century, winning a Super Bowl was heavily influenced by the battle in the trenches. Elite linemen stuffed rushing attacks or sacked quarterbacks, while star running backs often led the way for championship contenders. However, offenses made a major shift in the 21st century.
Also Read: Highest paid NFL players in 2023 – Evan Engram joins the list
Gone were the days of running on first, second, and third down, and now the passing game and how it’s defended dictates success. Due to that pivot in how the game is played and called, running backs have consistently lost value for franchises over the last two decades. It has seemingly hit a head this offseason and many around the NFL are outraged.
On Monday, 2022 Pro Bowlers Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley both were forced to accept franchise tags from their teams, the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, after they could not come to terms on new long-term contracts. Those situations are just the latest instances of talented running backs having serious trouble earning similar money to other skills players on offense.
San Francisco 49ers star calls Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley contract situations ‘criminal’
The scenario has created a new debate around the league and it has attracted opinions from all over the industry, including from other star RBs.
Following the news that Jacobs, Barkley, and fellow Pro Bowler Tony Pollard were unable to land long-term extensions, San Francisco 49ers starting running back Christian McCaffrey took to his Twitter account and claimed it was “criminal” that “Three of the best PLAYERS in the entire league, regardless of position,” were not given the multi-year financial security they earned and deserved.
However, the San Francisco 49ers star was not the only elite contemporary that had an opinion on the situation. Austin Ekeler, who was also in a contract dispute with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason, was asked about the situation and tossed the blame at the feet of NFL owners.
“From a player’s aspect, we have no control,” Ekeler said during an appearance on CBS Sports Radio with Zach Gelb. “I have no control. So really who we want answers from is the ownership. Like, why are you doing this? What’s the reason? Like, you aren’t interviewing them about it. Like, how many owners have you talked to about this? Zero.”
– Austin Ekeler
The frustration from running backs around the league will likely continue in the years to come as the position has gone from one of the highest paying to some of the league’s lowest. Well behind star wide receivers and linemen.