You wonder, if Zeke started the controversy with RB's not getting paid

[Starforever]

Glad Zeke got his money.

 

[DuncanIso]

Teams gonna find out you can’t win with scrubs at RB.

Not everyone has an elite QB to carry them.

 

[DuncanIso]

Glad Zeke got his money.

Exactly.

Owners make a killing on the rookie contracts.

 

[PAPPYDOG]

... We know and they know. When Zeke got paid $$$$$, his stats became lower as years went forward. Instead of keeping pace, he declined.
I know he instilled some injuries, but the offset has been greater than expected.

Chargers RB, Austin Ekeler, now concerned with stigma, of whats seem to be occurring with RB's around the league Also take note of Barkley situation.

Using the franchise tag on them. Might be route to go.

Eklers scoop about it: RB Stigma

Jerry Jones destroyed the HB and QB market with Zeke and Dak.
Keep up the good work Jerry!!!

 

[phildadon86]

It did not start with Zeke. Todd Gurley was before Zeke.

Our director of personnel or whatever Stephen’s title was at the time went on camera and said “Gurley is the floor for the Zeke contract.”

Imagine a FO that publicly negotiated against themselves. And people are blaming Zeke? Lol. My lord

 

[TequilaCowboy]

I think it's also the game going more to passing due to rules changes, and needing to create big plays rather than depending on 15 play drives which have become scarce. Zeke, being a Cowboy, brought more publicity and became the poster child of what not to do. RBs come out of college ready to play year one so can be easily replaced at a lower salary instead of a big contract extension. The best years for a RB are the first four or five.. The FB position has been eliminated and the true TB position has been devalued

It didn't help that Zeke also had physical problems losing speed and elusiveness. Barkley and Henry may find themselves in similar predicament trying to have a team pay top money at this point.

 

[MyFairLady]

Fat Zeke is the poster boy for getting paid then packing it in.

 

[MyFairLady]

It is his legacy.

 

[CanadianCowboysFan]

LOL WUT...so it is Zeke's fault RBs are not getting paid?

if Zeke tries hard enough, he might get blamed for the Kennedy murders too

 

[Kingofholland]

Gurley and Bell

 

[Flamma]

... We know and they know. When Zeke got paid $$$$$, his stats became lower as years went forward. Instead of keeping pace, he declined.
I know he instilled some injuries, but the offset has been greater than expected.

Chargers RB, Austin Ekeler, now concerned with stigma, of whats seem to be occurring with RB's around the league Also take note of Barkley situation.

Using the franchise tag on them. Might be route to go.

Eklers scoop about it: RB Stigma

IMO there is nothing wrong with giving RBs a 2nd contract. The problem is they want too much for that second contract. When you're replaceable, and have a short shelf life, how much can you expect on a 2nd contract?

I can see with a RB like Barkley, because he's not going to be easily replaced. But that has its limits too. That's the same thing the Cowboys thought with Zeke. Zeke was done after 3 years at age 23. Who would have expected that?

 

[DanTanna]

I think all teams are now following the New England Patriots model. They have never valued RBs and they've done well.

 

[big dog cowboy]

Teams gonna find out you can’t win with scrubs at RB.

Not everyone has an elite QB to carry them.

When the Chiefs win a super bowl with Isiah Pacheco it sends a message. Year before that is was the Rams with Cam Akers. QB's far more important than RB's in todays NFL.

 

[blueblood70]

You beat me to it. Posted while I was composing, I guess.

Well you know our fan base they have the ones they don't like they pick on they hate but they don't have all the information... Literally there are other running backs who were overpaid and under produced as well as paid more than zeke or on the same level and have done OK but the blame this all on zeke again I mean the man can't get a break... But I mean if you need anymore proof is Alvin Kamara and Christian McCaffrey didn't do much since they got paid and Christian McCaffrey got paid more than well I know he's a good back but his production since his paycheck not great definitely doesn't live up to his billing now he's with the 49ers he's gonna look better but after he left Carolina they're running back by committee went on pretty good run no pun intended...

But that's the kind of proof I think that's causing the controversy and it's not zeke look at Christian McCaffrey 's money and what he did in Carolina and even last year splitting carries that's not impressive those stats Tony Pollard put up on a rookie contract they almost start comparable last year. This is what the NFL sees this is what the owners are saying I mean they're seeing Christian McCaffrey leave and go to the 49ers and as much as he played well he did not play great he has an elite contract but he's playing like a normal running back and yet the Carolina Panthers moved on without him and still had a very good running game that nearly overtook the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year...

 

[JayFord]

This happend before Zeke

The passing game opening up is the reason RBs arent being paid

Also rbs dont even go in the first like they used to....they figure if the line is opening up holes what does it matter who runs the ball why pay them that much

 

[JayFord]

When the Chiefs win a super bowl with Isiah Pacheco it sends a message. Year before that is was the Rams with Cam Akers. QB's far more important than RB's in todays NFL.

Pacheco is good though....nice solid hard runner but they have patrick mahomes and hes top 5 qb all time imo so that helps

 

[MyFairLady]

Exactly.

Owners make a killing on the rookie contracts.

The NFLPA is part of the negotiations that set the way the players get paid. The Owners need to be doing everything they can to take advantage of the agreed upon system to field the best team possible. If they prefer (as we do) to reward players ahead of time and pay them for the past that is great for the players but terrible for the team and fans who care about winning. We are a joke of a franchise because we believe in branding and exposure more than we believe in structure and winning. Fat Zeke tells you everything you need to knw about what is wrong with Cowboys football.

 

[8FOR!3]

The problem seems to be so many teams are just able to rotate running backs and keep bringing guys in. San Fran has done a good job with it. Heck, Carolina did a good job at replacing CMC when they shipped him to San Fran. Look what Pollard's done for us? I mean you can say Zeke has something to do with it. I don't think that's "blaming" him. The fact is he didn't really live up to his contract towards the end of his contract. But it's kinda been proven over and over again that you don't need a great running back to win a Super Bowl anymore.

 

[Havic]

Gurley, Zeke, and Bell imo

 

[gimmesix]

This happend before Zeke

The passing game opening up is the reason RBs arent being paid

Also rbs dont even go in the first like they used to....they figure if the line is opening up holes what does it matter who runs the ball why pay them that much

I don't think it is quite that simple. Has to do more with return on investment. Few backs can play at a high level for more than six years; some don't make it that long before they fall off. As contracts go up across the board, GMs have to figure out how to balance them, who they can rely on to fulfill most of the contract before they decline. They may can fit the players under the cap because the cap rises, but more dead cap to eat creates more challenges.

Teams are still running the ball. They are still drafting running backs in the first round. They are just not willing to spend high in free agency on a position that overall has a poor return on investment on a second contract.