The Chargers are in the midst of the new league year, as they’ve signed Eric Kendricks and brought back some of their internal players. But one of the bigger storylines surrounding the team is running back Austin Ekeler.
Out of left field, Ekeler was granted permission to seek a trade. And the reason he has sought out potential suitors was recently revealed on an episode of the “Greenlight with Chris Long” podcast.
Ekeler said the Chargers had shut him out while discussing a long-term contract. He added that he has nothing against the team but doesn’t want to stay in Los Angeles unless he’s going to get paid what he thinks he’s worth.
“I’m so underpaid right now as far as my contract and what I contribute to the team, 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, I’m going to score you another 20 touchdowns. As long as I’m healthy I’m going to score 20 touchdowns, I’m going to have 1,600 all-purpose yards. I’m getting half my value of what I can be getting. So I am relentlessly pursuing someone who wants me.”
Ekeler, who signed a four-year, $24.5 million deal in 2020, will enter the final year of that contract. He is due to make $6.25 million this year.
The Chargers have already committed to players like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack by restructuring their contracts, which gave them some cap leeway this year, but will take a significant toll on it in 2024.
Ekeler is an important piece, but his positional value might not be seen as crucial enough by Los Angeles to be worth writing that type of check. However, the case for Ekeler is that he has been not only productive but healthy, which is something rare at the position, only missing one game in the past two seasons.
Ekeler has 38 total touchdowns in the past two seasons, the most among NFL skill players.
Ultimately, I believe Ekeler and L.A. will agree to an extension if they can’t find a trade partner. He has some leverage because he can hold in during training camp. And the Chargers aren’t in a position to find his replacement. Plus, while 28 years of age, Ekeler has enough juice to produce a couple of good years.
