Several running backs in the NFL are on some kind of protests over the way they are compensated.
Los Angeles Charger's Austin Ekeler thinks some must get paid more than other positions, but they don't due to the franchise tag system being implemented.
The 28-year-old running back said such a tag is detrimental on the part of the players.
"I want to attack it. I think it's detrimental to us as players," he told USA Today.
"You can look at any of the statistics. Our average career is three years. If you are fortunate enough to be in a position to have success, and now you're able to be locked in for more on one year, one year, one year and not have to share any of that risk with the organization than it's just not a great situation. It's very one-sided."
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Several RBs spoke out and held out on signing their new deals after getting franchise tags. Among them are Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys' Tony Pollard, Las Vegas Raiders' Josh Jacobs, and Indianapolis Colts' Jonathan Taylor.
The franchise tag on running backs is the lowest among all positions, around $5 million higher than the kicker/punter's $5 million.
Unionizing the RB position next?
Several running backs united recently through a Zoom call to talk about their situation, led by Ekeler.
The Chargers player said it would not be the last and that they would have a series of meetings to discuss getting better treatment from the league.
"We are gonna have more of those and continue to get more people on," he said.
"We just had that to kind of break the ice and bring awareness. There are gonna be more calls and more education on what's going on, and how we can combat it and decide if it's worth combatting in the future. ...It's educating right now. That is the next step in my eyes."
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