Austin Ekeler is going to be back in Los Angeles, as the Chargers have added $2 million in incentives to his current deal that ends at the end of the 2023 season. It’s a good compromise between the two sides, and it keeps fantasy’s best back at home. At one point, Ekeler requested a trade and felt disrespected by the organization.
“I kinda got punched in the face when the Chargers basically said hey we don’t want to talk about extensions anymore,” Ekeler told me and Amber Theoharis on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio’s Fantasy Dirt earlier this offseason. “I was like, wow, this is the first time in my career with them that I felt disrespected by my own organization.”
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Over the last two years, Ekeler leads all running backs with 177 receptions, 1,369 receiving yards and 38 total touchdowns (no other back has more than 26). What’s more, his 3,195 scrimmage yards ranks third among backs and just two yards behind Nick Chubb for second. He’s also averaged over 21 PPR points over his last 34 contests.
The Chargers backfield remains much like it was last season in terms of personnel, so Ekeler’s role will be much like it’s been in the last two years. That means he’ll be the team’s top back, both as a runner and pass catcher, and his red-zone looks will remain on the high end (no back has more such touches in the last two years).
With fantasy drafts just around the corner, Ekeler should now be locked into the top five overall picks and no worse than a top eight selection in PPR leagues.
