“Punched in the Face”: Ex Chargers Star Accuses Team of Not Paying Due Respect to Legacy Position in NFL

Over the years, the evolution of the playing style in the NFL has dictated the terms of the league and its players. Once a running offense-dominated league, the top tier of pro football has increasingly become pass-oriented over the years. Quarterbacks like Michael Vick and Lamar Jackson were instrumental in reviving the hype around running the ball in recent years. However, the running backs of the league don’t get the recognition they once received. And the latest victim to this league-wide RB cold-shouldering is LA Chargers star Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler may just have to play another season in LA after seeking a trade this week. However, the team captain doesn’t hold it against his franchise for not meeting his demands. Ekeler knows that’s just how the league functions these days.

Austin Ekeler points out unfair financial terms for running backs

This Tuesday, the versatile Chargers back joined Michael Fabiano and Amber Theoharis on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio’s Fantasy Dirt show. And Ekeler didn’t hold back on the indirect blackballing of running backs in the league. RB pay structures aren’t close to what the quarterbacks and the wide receivers make. And Ekeler had a bigger problem with the second group since the backs touch the ball second most after the QB. RBs are also offered significantly less protection than their passing counterparts.

ALSO READ: Own Tom Brady’s First Ever NFL TD Pass Ball Which Is Listed at an Auction for Just Five Figures

However, with the injury concern always lingering, teams just aren’t offering running backs in the same range as wideouts. And this is what bothers Ekeler the most. Austin has been one of the more durable backs in the NFL, having last missed a series of games, back in the 2021 season. Despite that, the Chargers refused to bring up the subject of an extension during negotiations.

“I kinda got punched in the face when the Chargers basically said, hey we don’t want to talk about extensions anymore. I was like, ‘Wow, this is the first time in my career with them that I felt disrespected by my own organization’,” he said.

This holds true for every other RB in the league

Ekeler brought up the recent wide receiver extensions, signed for many number three wideouts, that tower in comparison to his current 4-year $24.5 million contract signed in 2020.

“We’ve got number three receivers that are going to catch four balls a game. Have 600 or 700 yards of offense, score four touchdowns and get eight or nine million dollars a year. I got 1,600 yards, I got 18 touchdowns and I can’t get above $6 million,” Ekeler added.

Austin also called former Pro-Bowler Eagles RB Miles Sanders’ new $6 million per year Carolina Panthers contract “disrespectful.” As of now, there are 36 wide receivers in the league paid more than Ekeler. This includes names like Tim Patrick and Allen Lazard, who haven’t particularly shined in recent seasons.

WATCH THIS STORY: 300 lbs Aaron Donald shows insane footwork in first freaky video from offseason workouts

Austin Ekeler leads all running backs in the last two years in catches (177), receiving yards (1369), and touchdowns (38). Also, his 3195 rushing scrimmage yards ranked third-best in the league. Surely, with numbers like this, Ekeler and the other star RBs have every right to demand better treatment from the league and team owners.