NFL Running Backs contract negotiations have been a major topic of discussion in sports for weeks after players like Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs were denied their due payments from their respective teams and also denied trades.
Former football star Robert Griffin III has added his voice to the discussion, and according to him, players should stop treating the issue as a personal problem and start working towards a collective approach that favors all players. Robert continues that a workable solution will be for all rookies to have a three-year contract that will help them reach free agency faster and, in turn, help them earn more and not spend their prime working for meager salaries. If the 3-year rookie contract applies to just one player, the teams have so many other running backs to choose from, but if it is a contract binding all rookie players, they will have no choice but to go in, he said.
According to TPS;
Former Heisman winner Robert Griffin III has a solution for all running backs to get what they deserve in the future.
The former NFL quarterback posted a recent video on social media that highlighted the need for drastic action after the likes of Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Tony Pollard struggled to land deals despite having stellar seasons with their respective teams.
The ex-NFL quarterback took to social media on Wednesday to propose a plan for running backs to lead the charge for all players to fix how they are treated by the teams and the NFL.
“Running backs have an opportunity in front of them to change the NFL forever
“The only real solution to fix how running backs are treated when it’s time to get paid is a solution for all players. Running backs have to lead the charge in pushing for a renegotiation of the CBA. With the key points being that all rookies have three-year contracts regardless of their draft position and eliminating the franchise tag and transition tag for all players.”
“This solution wouldn’t just benefit running backs, but it would benefit all players by getting them to free agency faster… So, by restricting rookie contracts to three years and eliminating franchise and transition time, it would allow running backs to get to free agency faster and make top dollar during their prime earning years.”
“But here’s the thing with seven years left on the current CBA, only way to get this done is to strike… First of all, the CBA has anti-strike language in it. But the players technically can’t strike but practically they can. And if the players want change, now, they have to be willing to go the extra mile. That’s a big ask… but in the end, it will be worth it.”
These changes, he argues, will expedite players to reach free agency, where they can make the most money.
It is time running backs started working toward a collective interest as Griffin suggested. Indeed, divided, they will all forever be taken advantage of due to competition out there, however, together, they can negotiate better deals. Will this be the future of running backs?
NFL Running Backs are getting HOSED in contract negotiations. Here is the solution. pic.twitter.com/XMBaRIdQsc
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) July 20, 2023