Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Star RB rips into backup WRs who make more money than he does

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated Jul 15, 2023 9:15 AM ET

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler’s frustration regarding his salary has been well-documented.

Despite the Chargers adding $1.75 million in incentives to his contract, the 28-year-old running back isn’t happy. During a recent appears on “The Rich Eisen Show,” Ekeler vented about how little he was making, especially compared to others who are backups at their position.

“If I’m looking at some of the backup receivers out here that are still making more than me, that’s going to p-ss me off, right?” Ekeler said. “I’m a little bit like, ‘OK, wait a minute, so you’re telling me these people are the No. 3 receivers and they’re going to make more than me? And I’m the starter?’

Ekeler’s $6.125M salary ranks 13th among running backs and is more than several notable starters including Jonathan Taylor, Najee Harris, D’Andre Swift and Raheem Mostert.

However, there are 39 receivers who will make more than Ekeler in 2023, per Spotrac, and as many as 10 of them are third or lower on their respective depth charts.

List of notable WR’s listed 3rd or 4th on NFL team depth charts who will make more money than Austin Ekeler this year:

-Zay Jones
-Michael Gallup
-Kendrick Bourne
-Cedrick Wilson Jr.
-Tyler Boyd
-Tim Patrick
-Corey Davis
-Curtis Samuel
-Russell Gage
-Robert Woods
-Allen Robinson pic.twitter.com/Zf6CEXUpMC
— ًBoltUpYo (@BoltUpYo) July 14, 2023

“I get more carries, I touch the ball more, I have more of an impact,” Ekeler continued. “It causes us to question, right? We’re going to fight for that. I’m bringing more value to the team than this person. I think I should be compensated for that. ... It seems like it’s about money, but it’s about principles. It’s about the principle of adding value to a team.”

It’s clear the Chargers have no interest in paying Ekeler more than they already do, as evidenced by their granting him permission to seek a trade elsewhere. The team gave the 5-foot-10 tailback performance incentives to boost his contract value — including up to an additional $1 million if he reaches a certain number of total yards, $600,000 if he scores a certain number of total touchdowns and $150,000 for being named to the Pro Bowl.

Ekeler is in the final year of his contract and could move on from Los Angeles after the season.

Michael Gallagher

Michael Gallagher is a longtime sports journalist based out of Nashville with a decade of experience covering college football, mixed martial arts and prep sports plus the NFL and NHL — specifically the Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators. He’s covered several notable sporting events including an AFC Championship game, a Stanley Cup Final, an NHL All-Star Game and an NHL Stadium Series. Some of his past bylines can be found at the Nashville Scene, SB Nation, The Hockey News and Fox Sports Knoxville

More must-reads: