The Los Angeles Chargers were able to restructure the contract of Austin Ekeler earlier in the offseason. He is now in the final year of his deal with some added incentives from the team. However, this doesn’t mean he is very happy about it. Ekeler is the latest running back to lament the undervaluing of running backs that is happening in the NFL.
Los Angeles Chargers Austin Ekeler Still Unhappy With Contract
Ekeler made his case of why he is so upset on the Rich Eisen Show.
“It comes down to comparing, let’s see what the real value added to a team is. 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 receiver 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.”
It’s easy to see where he is coming from. Ekeler is one of the top backs in the league and makes about as much as Zay Jones of the Jaguars. Unfortunately, this is the nature of the league right now.
Valuing Positions
This isn’t a new phenomenon in the league. Punters are paid less than quarterbacks. Why? They have less of an impact on the game. While this is an extreme example, the modern NFL is more focused on the passing game. Teams have shown that they can not commit to a running back long-term and still find success in the position. On the opposite end of the spectrum, teams have signed running backs to long deals i.e. Ezekiel Elliott and it has hindered the building of the roster. While it stinks if you are a running back, this is the nature of the league right now.
The Los Angeles Chargers better hope that Austin Ekeler is motivated to show what he can do. This is likely his last year as a Charger as it seems unlikely either side will want to reup. Will Ekeler prove his value and land a big deal next year?