Austin Ekeler agreed to a revised deal to keep him with the Chargers for another season. But that doesn’t mean he has no opinion on running back’s contract values.
Ekeler appeared on the Rich Eisen Show, discussed the challenges running backs face and expressed frustration over some lesser-valued players landing more significant contracts.
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 receivers 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. I’m bringing more value to the team than this person. I think I should be compensated for that. … It seems like it’s about money, but it’s about principles. It’s about the principle of adding value to a team.
Ekeler was granted permission to seek a trade at the start of the offseason because he wanted to be paid like one of the top running backs. However, nothing came out of it after months passed.
After the two parties could not find a suitable trade partner, they reworked his deal by adding $1.75 million in incentives to his contract for the 2023 season.
The longevity of players at the running back position has given teams pause, which is why they aren’t paid like others at premium positions, no matter how productive they are.
In Ekeler’s case, he has been a statistical monster, running for 34 touchdowns and catching 29 scores for L.A. since entering the NFL in 2017. Additionally, he’s amassed 7,125 total yards over that span.
However, Ekeler is approaching 30 years of age, which is right around when running backs are not as coveted.