Ekeler: Earning less than backup WRs will 'piss me off'
Los Angeles Chargers star Austin Ekeler remains unhappy with the value of running backs across the league.
"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," Ekeler said on the "Rich Eisen Show" on Thursday. "You're telling me ... the No. 3 receiver is 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."
He added: "I'm bringing more value to the team than this person. I think I should be compensated for that."
The Chargers granted the 28-year-old tailback permission to seek a trade this offseason after failing to agree to terms on an extension. Ekeler couldn't find a trade partner as teams were reluctant to meet his request for a new deal.
He's entering the final season of his four-year, $24.5-million contract. Los Angeles added incentives to his deal in May.
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound halfback wants to remain with the franchise and said his issues aren't solely about financial compensation but rather his value to the team on the field.
"The trend right now is not to pay running backs. ... It's going to take something - whether some guy stands out again, whether it's this year, one of these guys holds out and gets a big contract," Ekeler said.
Fellow running backs Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, and Josh Jacobs each received the franchise tag this offseason. Each player would earn just over $10 million under the one-year tender, per Over the Cap.
Ekeler expressed surprise that no one else at the position has come close to earning a similar deal to Christian McCaffrey's four-year, $64-million extension signed in 2020.
Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams each earn over $20 million per year, according to Spotrac.
Ekeler rushed for a career-high 915 yards and posted 18 total touchdowns last season. It was the second consecutive season he led all running backs in total scores after accounting for 20 in 2021.
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