Los Angeles Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler is one of the many running backs that did not get their intended contract this offseason as the value of the position continues to plummet across the NFL. He opened up about how he and other running backs need to proceed in order to change how the position is seen amongst NFL front offices.
Ekeler is in the final year of his contract with the Chargers and has not yet been able to agree on an extension with the team.
He ultimately decided to report to training camp despite his lingering contract issue. While Ekeler made it clear that this contract situation will not be a distraction, he did say that running backs need to “control the narrative” about what their position brings to a team.
“There’s a ton of that we can do,” Ekeler said via ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry. “One is controlling the narrative. We’re starting to put out this narrative that’s kind of combatant against what’s been out there so far. A lot of it seems like there’s a lot of media trying to justify why the running backs aren’t getting paid. We’re actual players and we all have different impacts on each team, so it’s very situational.”
If this offseason has shown us anything, Ekeler and the rest of the running backs clearly have an uphill battle on their hands.
Ekeler has proven to be one of the most productive offensive players in the league, recording over 1,500 scrimmage yards and over 15 combined touchdowns over each of the last two seasons.
If a player of Ekeler’s ability is struggling to get a significant extension, other running backs will certainly struggle to get their own extension unless something drastic changes.
[ESPN]
