The tension continues to grow between the NFL and its top running backs. With the running back market in flux and the league seemingly ok with intentionally depressing the market, and the players are pushing things with the NFLPA.
According to a report, Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler hosted a Zoom meeting on Saturday with the NFLPA and multiple top running backs to discuss the depressed running back market and if there are any solutions.
The simplest solution would be to simply pay backs what they believe they are worth but we understand this can never happen. Teams view running backs, even the best running backs as short-term investments due to the well-documented drop-off they take in their careers.
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris was reportedly part of this meeting. As a rookie, Harris had 381 touches. A high number even for a veteran back. In 2022, Harris saw a dip to 313 touches. Still a high number but more manageable.
There is no easy solution to this problem but hopefully, a dialogue with the NFLPA will get things moving in the right direction.
BREAKING: #NFL star running backs Christian McCaffrey, Najee Harris, J.K, Dobbins, Nick Chubb, Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones, Tony Pollard, and Joe Mixon were in attendance for Austin Ekeler’s Zoom Meeting in collaboration with the NFLPA…
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) July 23, 2023