Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, Austin Eckeler resent absence of Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs expansions: “Trash”

Sakwon Barkley and Josh Jacobs will play under the franchise this NFL season. Or they won’t.

These are the only two options.

After Monday’s deadline passes, neither is eligible to sign a long-term deal this off-season after months of failed negotiations. How they will act now depends on them. Holding out until training camp, the start of the season, or later is an option for both players. It’s an option that Le’Veon Bell made the most of in 2018 under similar circumstances that marked the end of his tenure with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

For NFL running backs, the lack of renewals for the top two in position once again signals the harsh reality in a league that continues to devalue them and increasingly refuses to make long-term investments in position. The news was picked up by some of the league’s top defensemen.

They also drew attention to ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller, who tweeted about the supposed one-time run back amid Monday’s news. They switched off.

Tennessee Titans running back and two-time NFL champion dasher Derrick Henry had this to say:

At this point, simply take the RB position out of the game. For those who want to be great and work hard to give their all to the organization, it just seems like it doesn’t even matter. I am with every RB who fights to get what he deserves. https://t.co/OgvBWZCKvn

— Derrick Henry  (@KingHenry_2) July 17, 2023

“For the moment, just exclude the RB position from the game,” Henry wrote on Twitter. “Those who want to be great and work hard to give their all to the organization, it just seems like it doesn’t even matter. I’m with every RB who fights to get what they deserve.”

Fortunately for Henry, he does not face the same circumstances as Jacobs and Barkley. He’s nearing the final year of a four-year, $50 million rookie contract extension and had a $2 million pay raise last offseason. He received his big salary. But soon he will fight for another.

Austin Eckeler is playing on a much less lucrative 4-year, $24.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He requested a trade this offseason in search of a new deal, but remains with the Chargers after negotiations for a promotion increase. Like Henry, he declared his support for his fellow runners, calling Miller’s approach to one-time runners “trash”.

Here is such rubbish artificially devalued one of the most important positions in the game. Everyone knows it’s hard to win without a top RB, and yet they act like we’re throwaways. I support any RB who does his best to get his bag. https://t.co/sRYfAKwrpQ

— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) July 17, 2023

“This is a kind of garbage that has artificially devalued one of the most important positions in the game,” Eckeler wrote. Everyone knows it’s hard to win without a top RB, and yet they act like we’re throwaways. I support any RB who does his best to get his bag.”

Without a new deal of their own, the running back Indianapolis Colts and 2021 NFL sprint champion Jonathan Taylor will find themselves in the same position next offseason as Jacobs and Barkley. His four-year, $7.8 million rookie contract is coming to an end. He could very well face the prospect of playing the 2024 season under the franchise banner if he and the Colts don’t come to an agreement.

He was one of the first to react to Monday’s news that Jacobs and Barkley hadn’t struck new deals. He was concise in his answer.

He later saw the same tweet from Miller, which Henry and Eckeler responded to. He sounded natural.

1. If you are good enough, they will find you.

2. If you work hard, you will succeed.

…If you succeed…

3. You increase Organization

…and then…

It doesn’t matter, you are RB https://t.co/mG6In1ATGg

— Jonathan Taylor (@JayT23) July 17, 2023

1. If you’re good enough, they’ll find you,” Taylor wrote.

2. If you work hard, you will succeed.

…If you succeed…

3. You increase Organization

…and then…

It doesn’t matter if you are RB

NFL running backs are in a position like never before. Now they show solidarity. How Jacobs and Barkley approach the upcoming season without new deals will be of great interest to all concerned.

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