Controversial ex-RB O. J. Simpson DEMANDS better pay for running backs from NFL teams after disaster contract negotiations with Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley
Simpson wants the NFL teams to give the running backs their due money.
Running backs have always been one of the most overlooked positions in football. However, in their defense, they are one of the reasons the wide receiver can find ample space on the offensive half and sidelines. But considering the amount of work they put into the field, some believe the running backs don’t earn enough. Former NFL player O. J. Simpson has come out and shown his support for the likes of Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley.
O. J. Simpson, who played in the same position back in the day, knows a thing or two about Jacobs and Barkley’s woes. He called out the NFL teams for their mistreatment.
“Running Backs deserve better,” Simpson said on Twitter. He argued the case for Barkley, saying his teammate quarterback, Daniel Jones, “has started more games than he has touchdowns. Saquon was the MVP, and we know most of us can’t even name who the Giants receivers are. They cannot win without Saquon.”
Simpson turned his attention towards Josh Jacobs, saying, “He (Jacobs) earned the right to get a contract in league with Christian McCaffrey. Those guys are making an average of $15 million. I don’t know what the Giants and Raiders have offered them, but $15 to $16 should be a minimum.”
The Las Vegas Raiders wanted to tie down the 25-year-old Jacobs to a long-term contract after a blockbuster performance last year. Jacobs already had two 1,000-yard seasons under his belt, but last year he went ballistic and led the NFL with 1,653 passing yards.
NFL veterans demand justice for Jacobs, Barkley and other RBs over unfair pay deals
(L) Josh Jacobs and (R) Saquon Barkley (Image credit: Yahoo/Sporting News)
The franchise tag deadline for players to reach a long-term deal is just a day away. Jacob currently earns around $2.5 million yearly and was hoping for something close to $10 million. The same can be said about the New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. He, too, was expecting an upgrade in his salary package as he recorded his best-ever season in 2022. He registered 1,312 rushing yards but now faces the prospect of a franchise tag or sitting out in 2023.
Besides O. J. Simpson, other league running backs have shown their disappointment. Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler heavily criticized the buy-low approach to the position.
This is the kind of trash that has artificially devalued one of the most important positions in the game. Everyone knows it’s tough to win without a top RB and yet they act like we are discardable widgets. I support any RB doing whatever it takes to get his bag.
https://t.co/sRYfAKwrpQ— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler)
July 17, 2023
Been saying it for years:
1. Draft a RB
2. Play the RB…if he's good…
3. Franchise tag the RB ONE TIME
…and then…
1. Draft a RB…
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) July 17, 2023
If Barkley and Jacobs fail to negotiate a contract in the coming days, then the NFL will have another Le’Veon Bell moment.
