Austin Ekeler is willing to leave the Los Angeles Chargers in order to secure a lucrative long-term contract after declaring he is ‘underpaid’.
Last week, Ekeler requested permission from the Chargers to seek a trade as the two parties have been unable to come to terms on a new long-term deal. The 27-year-old’s agent, Cameron Weiss, told ESPN the team had granted his request and he is now looking to rivals around the league for an improved payday.
Back in 2020, Ekeler signed a four-year deal worth $24.5million and he is entering the final year of that contract in 2023. He is currently set to earn just $6.25m in base salary this season, which doesn’t correspond with his value as one of the best running backs in the NFL.
In 2021, Ekeler led the NFL with 20 total touchdowns while he highlighted his ability as a dual-threat back by rushing for 911 yards and catching 70 passes for 647 yards. He followed that up in 2022; Ekeler again led the NFL with 18 total touchdowns while rushing for a career-high 915 yards.
He also set career-highs in receptions with 107, totalling 722 yards on the year. As a result, Ekeler appeared on former NFL defensive end Chris Long’s Green Light podcast to clarify his position and insist he deserves a contract extension.
“I’m so underpaid right now as far as my contract and what I contribute to the team, it's like, I am relentlessly pursuing this,” Ekeler said. “I want to get something long-term done. I want a team that wants me long-term. I'm at the peak of my game, right?
“As long as I'm healthy, I'm gonna score you another 20 touchdowns. I'm gonna have, you know, another 1,600 all-purpose yards. I'm getting half my value of what I could be getting. I am relentlessly pursuing someone who wants me for the long term.”
Ekeler is a core piece of the Chargers’ offence and is a favourite of quarterback Justin Herbert, forming a dynamite unit with wide receiver duo Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. The veteran back plays a huge role in the passing game while he has excelled in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
Ekeler added: “It's not like, ‘Oh I hate the Chargers and I need to get out of this organisation. And I need to leave’. Like, that couldn't be further from the truth. I would like to stay, if it was under the right circumstances.
“For me, it's like, if there's an opportunity to get more value, then why would you not jump on that? Why would you not at least try out the options? And worst-case scenario - it's not even a worst-case, really - but, OK, go play on the last year of your deal in L.A., then become a free agent.”
Ekeler’s value appears to have been impacted by the devaluation of the running back position, although he is a genuine threat in the passing game as much as the running game. He is similar to San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey, who signed a four-year deal worth $64.063m deal when with the Carolina Panthers in 2020.
