Mark Ingram Weighs in on Running Back Revolt (Exclusive Interview)

Earlier this week I had the chance to sit down with Heisman Trophy winner and former NFL running back, Mark Ingram, to talk about a variety of topics.

Ingram has recently taken on a new role with Fox Sports for this upcoming season on their show, Big Noon Kickoff. I got the chance to talk to him about his new role, whether or not he's officially retired, the Falcons and Saints rivalry, as well as his thoughts on the latest controversy surrounding running backs not getting signed to long term contracts.

This is what he had to say about the recent running back revolt across the NFL:

"I just feel like with the position being valued the way it is, I feel like, for one, I feel like the franchise tag shouldve been done with, but especially for running backs," Ingram said.

"They're trying to devalue the position. I feel like running backs should be able to get to the table soon. I feel like this needs to be addressed and the backs need to be taken care of because regardless of their position, they're some of the best players in the National Football League."

"They say they can be replaced easily and I feel like if you don't see Josh Jacobs or Saquon [Barkley] signing his tag, you will see directly that it is effecting their team. They don't have these high-powered runners these playmakers just because they're runners. They block, they catch, we run, we do all these things that are super valuable to a team, super valuable to a quarterback, super valuable to an offense. Unless you have a Patrick Mahomes, who is the best quarterback we've seen in years, you're going to need a running back to help you out."

I proposed a potential solution to him that perhaps running backs should get paid more on their rookie deals, due to teams viewing them as being in their primes during their first few years.

"I would love for it to be a solution and I think there's many different options and different ways to look at this. You either pay them earlier or you allow them to get to their second contract earlier. You don't allow Saquon Barkley and Josh Jacobs, who are drafted in the first round, to go four years and then be tagged on the fifth year option and then be tagged after that on a franchise tag. No tags for the running backs, allow them to get to their second and third contracts earlier, so maybe only two year deals or three year deals for the running backs tops."

Be sure to watch the full interview above to hear more about what he thinks about the running back issue in the NFL, as well as his favorite memories of the Saints/Falcons rivalries along with his soccer fandom.

Mark Ingram is partnered with Abbott. This weekend, Mark and other pro athletics will be participating in Abbott's "Win from Within" soccer clinic and nutrition education session where they will receive direct instruction from Real Madrid Coaches & staff.

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