One of the biggest offseason stories in the NFL has been around the Chargers and star running back Austin Ekeler. He has made it very obvious that he is not okay with his current contract and feels he deserves a major pay raise with the Chargers or another team if need be.
He was quoted saying that he wants at least double of what he is making right now. Should Ekeler get a major pay raise?
The NFL will always be a business which will always create difficult situations with money distribution. The game has evolved into a pass-heavy league, with players like Patrick Mahomes’ ability to carry an offense without an old-fashioned ground-and-pound system. However, running backs still have a very important role in today’s game, especially Ekeler.
Five of the top 6 non-quarterback total touchdown leaders in 2022 were running backs. The number one spot on that list was Ekeler. He has become a touchdown machine the last few seasons, yet he is still paid less than many backup receivers.
Allocating the salary cap to the right position has been the difference between teams like the Chiefs and the Browns. The teams that have gone all in on running backs the last few years have struggled mightily. Of the ten highest paid running backs last season, only one made it to the conference championship game, which was Christian McCaffrey.
The importance of the quarterback position is at an all-time high, which is why teams want to save as much money as they can, especially the Chargers.
Justin Herbert is due for a contract extension any day now that will cost four times as much as what Ekeler wants. While Ekeler is definitely underpaid, the winning recipe in the NFL the last decade has been to not pay running backs.
Pros of Ekeler staying
Cons of spending the cash to keep Ekeler
Without a doubt, the Chargers would struggle offensively if they lost Ekeler this or next season. However, Ekeler is not a great running back to close out games but specializes more in receptions and yards after the catch.
If the Chargers pay Ekeler over $12 million a year for 3 years, they will not have the money to keep many key players. They will likely have to let Keenan Allen go, but they can possibly keep Mike Williams and Herbert’s. For this to happen, they need to make the most out of the cap they still have.
Ekeler has every right to feel upset about being under-paid for what he has done the last few seasons and the toll it has on his body. While he has great strengths, his weakness of running between the tackles make it hard to invest in a fading position.
It would be great if the Chargers could keep Ekeler as he is only a positive, but for salary cap considerations they might have to let him go if it’s between him and Herbert.
Stay tuned for more breaking NFL content, including midseason moves, contract updates and more news from every team.
Featured image courtesy of Chargers.com
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