New Commanders running back Austin Ekeler revealed more about his free agency process on Meadowlark Media’s “God Bless Football” podcast. In his conversations with the Chargers, Ekeler said there was a “misalignment” between his vision and what the team had in mind.
The Chargers came to me and kinda told me what they were looking at in the running back position and it wasn’t what I can offer as a player. There was a misalignment. Yeah, they’re interested, but are you really? If all else fails, bring Austin back in type of thing? Because I don’t want to be in that scenario. If that’s your philosophy and what you’re telling me and I don’t fit that, I gotta look somewhere else.
With the switch to a new offense and a Greg Roman-based rushing attack, it seems like Ekeler is directly referencing the scheme’s more downhill nature compared to what he has played in for most of his career. The Chargers moved pretty quickly in free agency to sign Gus Edwards to a two-year contract.
Ekeler also said he was specifically looking for a team that had a No. 1 running back that he could complement. He compared Brian Robinson and himself in Washington’s backfield to what the Melvin Gordon-Ekeler tandem used to be with the Chargers.
Prior to signing with Washington, Ekeler mentioned that Baltimore and Green Bay had interest in him. The Raiders “went silent” on their interest after losing Josh Jacobs despite GM Tom Telesco being in charge, per Ekeler. Vegas eventually went on to sign Alexander Mattison.
It never seemed likely that Ekeler would be back after being injured last season and showing some signs of decline when he did return. The Kellen Moore scheme never fully fit what he did well in particular. The Roman run game, as mentioned earlier, is an even further departure from what Ekeler’s primary skillset is.
Ekeler also mentioned catching up with former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn as he’s now in Washington as the Commanders’ running back coach. Former Chargers cornerback Michael Davis also signed with Washington earlier this week.