Running backs are tired of being underpaid and they are ready to take some action.
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler reportedly organized a Zoom meeting with other top running backs in the NFL and discussed issues related to their contract market.
According to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, Ekeler has distributed a Zoom link to “all of the big-name running backs” in the NFL, and they are scheduled to meet Saturday night.
The meeting comes following Monday’s deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign long-term contracts coming and going without Saquon Barkley (Giants), Josh Jacobs (Raiders) and Tony Pollard (Cowboys) receiving new long term deals.
Pollard signed the $10.091 million franchise tag for 2023, but Barkley and Jacobs have yet to do so, meaning they could potentially holdout throughout training camp and even into the regular season.
Here were the list of running backs that attended the virtual meeting:
Of all the running backs who were free agents this offseason, only Miles Sanders, David Montgomery and Jamaal Williams received contracts greater than two years in length.
Only Sanders and Montgomery will earn more than $4 million per season on average from deals signed this offseason as well.
The belief around the NFL is that the shelf life for a running back isn’t more than 3-4 years, which is why teams are wary of giving long term deals to backs.
It hasn’t helped that most recent Super Bowl-winning teams have not featured highly-paid or highly-drafted running backs.
Last season, the Kansas City Chiefs rushing attack was led by a rookie seventh-round pick in Isiah Pacheco.
