NFL's top running backs hold Zoom call to discuss state of position

Several of the NFL's top running backs met on a Zoom call on Saturday night to discuss the financial state of their position and what -- if anything -- they can do to help fix a market that they feel is devaluing running backs.

The meeting was reportedly organized by Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, while several of the league's top running backs were present. ESPN reported that Cleveland's Nick Chubb, New York's Saquon Barkley, Los Vegas' Josh Jacobs, Tennessee's Derick Henry and San Francisco's Christian McCaffrey were among those present for the call.

Running backs have been extremely vocal this offseason about the compensation the top players are getting, especially after Barkley, Jacobs and Dallas' Tony Pollard were unable to strike long-term deals with their teams and will have to play the 2023 season on the franchise tag. 

According to ProFootBall talk, Saturday's meeting did not accomplish much because the players in question really do not have much leverage in the market. 

There was reportedly a discussion about "holding in" via embellishing or fabricating injuries, but it was quickly determined that would not be a good path to take because it would only further the team argument that running backs are not durable and are an injury risk. 

At this point running backs are simply stuck between a rock and a hard place.

The league has transitioned into more of a passing league where teams are going to spend the bulk of their money and prime resources on the players that throw the ball, catch the ball and protect the players throwing the ball, as well as the defenders that can prevent all of that. That development, combined with the fact teams have simply found cheaper ways to get production from the position, has made a top-tier running back not as much of a priority. They draft a running back in the middle rounds, run them into the ground, and then start over with a new running back a few years later. 

It is not collusion. It is not an anti-running back agenda. It is simply teams utilizing their resources and cap space in other areas they deem to be more important. Unless there are dramatic changes made to the CBA as a whole, there are simply not many options for the running backs.