Chargers' Austin Ekeler demands answers from NFL owners amid depressed running backs market

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The lack of running backs landing long-term, lucrative contracts has been widely debated throughout this NFL offseason.

Monday marked the last day for franchise-tagged players to reach an agreement on new contracts. But, the deadline came and went without a few notable running backs signing deals. 

Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard and Josh Jacobs all remain under the franchise tag as training camp begins for most teams in just a few short days.

Players at other positions who were franchise-tagged were able to come to agreements on long-term deals this offseason.

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Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers is seen during the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 26, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/Getty Images)

Elsewhere, four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook remains a free agent after the Vikings decided to release him in a salary cap savings move.

The Minnesota Vikings drafted Cook in the second round in 2017, and he went on to become a star player for the team. Cook finished his Vikings career with 5,993 rushing yards and 1,794 receiving yards.

AUSTIN EKELER CONCERNED ABOUT RUNNING BACK CONTRACTS, SAYS RBS BRING ‘MORE VALUE’ TO TEAMS THAN BACKUP WRS

Cook played in all 17 regular-season games in 2022, but he had a career-low 4.4 yards per carry. He also produced the second-lowest rushing yards per game (69) of his professional football career.

Meanwhile, Kareem Hunt, who led the league in rushing in 2017, also continues to search for a new team.

Austin Ekeler #30 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball against the