One of the main storylines surrounding the Chargers came to a close when Austin Ekeler agreed to a new contract. The running back’s adjusted pact includes $1.75MM in new incentives, while keeping him on track for free agency next March. 
Ekeler has been vocal recently about his desire for a raise putting him in line with the league’s higher-paid backs. His production on the ground and in the passing game point to his two-way ability and thus his value to any number of suitors on the open market. Given his age (28) and position, however, much remains to be seen regarding his earning power in 2024.
“I understand I have one more year that I’m obligated to be here. I wanted to go poke around to see if there was any other value,” Ekeler said, via USA Today’s Tyler Dragon. “If not, come back and have my last year and do what I can do here.”
The former UDFA requested a trade at the start of the league year as he searched for a raise from the $6.25MM he is due in base salary in 2023. With Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard having been franchise tagged, though, the free agent market at the RB spot was underwhelming. The position has been devalued over time, something which played a large part in little interest developing on the trade front for Ekeler before his new Chargers deal was put in place.
“What’s been happening with the atmosphere around the running back market has been pretty tough,” Ekeler admitted. “I am thankful for the way it played out. The Chargers did give me something in the middle, some type of incentive. I am appreciative of that because they didn’t have to do that. I understand there’s a business side to all of this. But I wouldn’t be doing myself service if I wasn’t going and trying to find more value while I can.”
Ekeler will once again be a focal point of the offense in Los Angeles this season, and he will aim to lead the league in touchdowns for a third straight season. His new incentives are directly tied to yardage and touchdown totals, and hitting them will boost his value on the open market. How much his financial stock changes in the near future will be worth watching over the course of the campaign.
Aside from QB or ‘linemen’ RB is the most utilized and least protected football position yet overall ‘valued’ is bottom of totem pole.
My only knock on Austin was his 75 yard run last year he seemed to run low on speed nearing the goal line and thought as a RB he should’ve outpaced the DBs chasing.
His overall usage and production for this team outpaces other ‘skill’ positions yet his compensation is embarrassing
RBs are generally slower than DBs because they tend to be more compact and powerful than WRs for the ground game. RB speed is often between WRs and TEs, though there are exceptions. I believe Isiah Pacheco ran in the 4.3 range in the combine.
I miss the days of RBs with speed and vision.
The ground game pitted O-line against D-line and LBs – finesse against brute force.
I’ve been saying for the last few years, RBs are battering rams and their career life expectancy is much shorter than almost every other position. The way the contract payouts over the first few years doesn’t favor a RB drafted in later rounds or Eckler situation, an undrafted player, by the time their 1st contract comes up for renewal, their career could already be over from the constant abuse! NFL needs to look at this to compensate these guys by the number of carries, catches, and tackles they get per game!