A number of star NFL operating backs took half in a Zoom name Saturday to debate the depressed marketplace for gamers at their place.
Cleveland Browns operating again Nick Chubb confirmed Sunday he participated within the name and stated Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Christian McCaffrey additionally have been within the assembly. Josh Jacobs additionally took half, a supply advised ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
ProFootballTalk.com, which first reported the information, stated the assembly was organized by the Los Angeles Chargers’ Austin Ekeler, who has been outspoken about NFL operating backs not being paid their true value.
The supply advised Fowler that the operating backs kicked round concepts in the course of the name, however no main plans emerged from the assembly.
“Proper now, there’s actually nothing we are able to do,” Chubb stated Sunday. “We’re type of handcuffed with the scenario. We’re the one place that our manufacturing hurts us essentially the most. If we go on the market and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the following yr they will say, you are in all probability worn down. It is robust. … It hurts us on the finish of the day.”
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Barkley and Jacobs obtained the franchise tag from the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders, respectively, however have been unable to conform to long-term contracts earlier than final Monday’s deadline. Neither participant has signed their franchise tender, value $10.091 million for operating backs, and aren’t anticipated to report back to coaching camp with the remainder of their groups, ESPN’s Adam Schefter has reported. The 2 unsigned stars will lose cash provided that they miss regular-season video games and forfeit sport checks.
Barkley stated on the “The Cash Issues” podcast that was recorded earlier than the deadline for franchised gamers to conform to long-term offers that he has thought-about not taking part in for the Giants this season amid his stalemate with the staff.
The Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Pollard additionally obtained the franchise tag, however not like Barkley and Jacobs, has signed his tender.
After the three operating backs have been unable to conform to long-term offers earlier than the deadline, a number of outstanding operating backs, together with Henry, McCaffrey, Ekeler and the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Najee Harris, tweeted about their displeasure over the monetary state of their place.
“We’re positively in a troublesome scenario, operating backs as an entire. Saquon’s a terrific participant, and you’ll ask anybody across the league and even on the Giants how a lot he means to that staff. So it is exhausting seeing him not get what he deserves,” Chubb stated Sunday.
The final time a operating again signed a long-term contract value $10 million or extra per season was the Browns’ Chubb in 2021. Chubb’s contract runs by means of the 2024 season, however he has no assured cash after this season.
“I do know it may be me someday,” Chubb stated. “I am simply type of taking part in each side. I am right here for my staff. However I am additionally understanding the scenario I may very well be in.”
McCaffrey is at the moment the highest-paid operating again, averaging simply over $16 million per season in a contract he signed when he was with the Carolina Panthers in 2020. Now with the San Francisco 49ers, his contract runs by means of the 2025 season.
ESPN’s Jake Trotter contributed to this report.
