Mark Ingram says the NFL devaluing running backs is 'criminal'

The devaluing of the running back position across the NFL is a discussion which gained newfound attention this past week after zero running backs received long-term extensions with their respective teams by last Monday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline for franchise-tagged players. 

The Dallas Cowboys’ Tony Pollard signed his franchise tag, while the New York Giants’ Saquon Barkley and the Las Vegas Raiders’ Josh Jacobs did not and intend to holdout of training camp. In Jacobs’ case, the reigning NFL-leading rusher and the Raiders reportedly were far apart on a deal.

Mark Ingram, who spent 12 seasons in the NFL, believes it’s time for running backs to take a stand. Appearing on “The Rich Eisen Show” Friday, Ingram called the devaluing of the position “criminal.”

“I think it’s criminal,” Ingram said. “I think it’s a shame that we have come to this, and that they’re devaluing the position. You have some of the best players in the league, regardless of position, who are coming up on long-term contracts, and they’re trying to control the salaries. They’re trying to control the market, devalue the position and not compensate these guys for what they have earned and what they provide to their teams.

“Running backs are invaluable to the teams. Unless you have Patrick Mahomes at quarterback, you are going to need a running game and a running back that can help you. We block, we catch, we run. All those things are invaluable, and help the team win. So, it’s highly unfortunate what’s going on… The running backs all need to come together and we need to come up with a solution.”

Top NFL running backs meet over Zoom to discuss contract woes

Coming up with a solution is precisely what running backs across the league aimed to do during a Saturday Zoom meeting scheduled by the Los Angeles Chargers’ Austin Ekeler. The 28-year-old organized the meeting, attended by 12 running backs total, to discuss the position’s current market.

One of the players who participated in the Zoom meeting was the Cleveland Browns’ Nick Chubb. Chubb, who’s rushed for over 1,000 yards in 4-of-5 seasons in the NFL, spoke a pretty harsh truth.

“Right now, there’s really nothing we can do,” Chubb said Sunday, per ESPN. “We’re kind of handcuffed with the situation. We’re the only position that our production hurts us the most. If we go out there and run 2,000 yards with so many carries, the next year they’re going to say, you’re probably worn down. It’s tough… It hurts us at the end of the day.”