Tag: Austin Ekeler Chargers

Austin Ekeler reveals reason for departure from Chargers: ‘There was a misalignment’

The Chargers wanted running backs to be able to manage heavy workloads on the ground.

Austin Ekeler will play for a new team for the first since signing with the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017.

Signed by the Commanders this offseason, Ekeler made it clear that he wasn’t going to be brought back to Los Angeles. Jim Harbaugh wanted a running back who could manage a heavy workload.

“They wanted a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year, and, look, I haven’t had the capacity to do that,” Ekeler said via Up & Adams with Kay Adams.

“That’s not my game. That’s not how Austin Ekeler is going to be the best on the field. So there was a misalignment there, which, no harm no foul. I’ll go somewhere else where Austin can be the best version of myself out there.”

During his time with the Bolts, Ekeler was known for his multidimensional skillset to be able to not only carry the ball out of the backfield, but serve as a pass-catcher.

The most Ekeler rushed was 206 times, which came back in the 2021 season.

Ekeler will split carries with Brian Robinson Jr. in Washington.

The Chargers added former Ravens Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins. They are expected to split the carries, like they did in Baltimore.

Los Angeles also drafted Kimani Vidal in the sixth round. Vidal is no stranger to a lot of volume as a rusher, finishing his senior season at Troy with 297 carries.

Austin Ekeler on Chargers’ free agency interest: ‘There was a misalignment’

Austin Ekeler revealed more about his free agency process.

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.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler explains trade request

Austin Ekeler wants to be paid what he thinks he’s worth.

At the start of the league year, one of the bigger storylines surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers 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 “Green Light 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 signed a four-year, $24.5 million deal in 2020. 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 salary 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 paying him more. However, the case for Ekeler is that he has been not only productive but healthy, which is something rare at the position; he has missed only 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 out during training camp. And the Chargers aren’t in a position to find his replacement. Entering his age-28 season, Ekeler has enough juice to produce a couple more good years.

5 potential landing spots for Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

Here are a few teams that would make sense for Chargers RB Austin Ekeler.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler received permission to seek a trade on Tuesday.

If Los Angeles were to deal Ekeler, here are a few teams that could show interest in him.

Report: Chargers give RB Austin Ekeler permission to seek trade

Austin Ekeler is seeking a big contract.

A Chargers fixture has been given permission to find a football future elsewhere.

After it was reported Monday that running back Austin Ekeler had requested to speak to other teams regarding a possible trade, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Tuesday that LA had granted Ekeler’s request.

Ekeler is seeking a new contract, likely one worth upwards of $10 million per season, coming off a 2022 season in which he led the league in total touchdowns and was the lone consistent skill player outside of Justin Herbert. The Chargers, meanwhile, are unlikely to commit long-term to Ekeler at such a price for a number of reasons. The running back turns 28 in May, usually the age at which players at his position begin to decline. He’s a running back, a position that’s proven to be replaceable with cheap assets. And, perhaps most importantly, LA needs to conserve every dollar to manage their salary cap with Herbert’s impending extension likely to cost somewhere between $40 and $50 million a season.

The Chargers have already committed to players like Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa, and Khalil Mack by restructuring their contracts and pushing cap dollars into 2024. While Ekeler is a key part of the franchise and the face of the team off the field, his positional value may be such that LA isn’t comfortable extending that same olive branch. That could be why contract negotiations have stalled, leading to the standoff we’ve seen play out this week.

Ultimately, a request to explore a trade is a leverage play by Ekeler and his camp. They have a compelling argument to receive the kind of money they’re likely asking for. If another team is willing to pay that price, it’s better to know now and secure that future instead of risking a potential injury or downturn in play during the upcoming season. However, if no other team wants to pay Ekeler what he believes he’s worth, I still wouldn’t rule out a return to LA for 2023 to play out the remainder of his contract.

Beyond 2023, however, it certainly seems as though Ekeler will be playing for a new franchise.

Top Twitter reactions from Chargers’ 34-24 victory over Texans

How Twitter reacted to the Chargers’ victory over the Texans in Week 4.

The Chargers were hungry for a win after losing to the Jaguars at home last Sunday. Los Angeles traveled to Houston and got the job done with a 34-24 win over the Texans.

Although they won, the game was closer than most fans would’ve liked. Nevertheless, with outstanding performances led by Austin Ekeler, who had three touchdowns, the Bolts are back in the win column.

Here’s how the internet reacted to the Chargers’ win:

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler embodies Los Angeles living

Austin Ekeler hits up some of the top spots in Los Angeles and talks about going from a Division II to an NFL running back.

Ever wonder what it would be like to live in the City of Angels?

Austin Ekeler was featured in the latest episode of “Put You On” on Whistle’s YouTube channel, and he takes you through some of the top spots in Los Angeles.

In the episode, Ekeler goes to Blue Moon Boat Tours in Marina Del Rey, enjoys dessert at Jeni’s Ice Creams, and concludes the day at the Santa Monica Pier with a beautiful Los Angeles sunset.

Throughout his exploration of the city, Ekeler shares his experience of moving from a small town in Colorado to L.A. and what life was like going from a Division II to an NFL running back.

You can check out the episode in the video below.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler set up for monster fantasy season in 2021

Draft Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and reap the rewards of success.

The Chargers offseason brought with it a multitude of changes, some of which could bring a positive impact to those who play fantasy football.

Among the players who should have owners licking their chops is running back Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler enters his fifth season with new offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi calling the shot. One things about Lombardi is that he has historically gotten his running backs involved more than any other coach in the league.

During his time with the Saints, Lombardi utilized backs like Reggie Bush and Darren Sproles, but the most notable was Alvin Kamara, who recorded at least 1,500 yards from scrimmage and 13 touchdowns three times in his first four seasons.

It just so happens that Ekeler has a very similar skill set to Kamara, considering the two are ultra-refined runners and deadly pass-catchers, both out of the backfield and in the slot.

In each of his seasons, Ekeler has put up big numbers. He put up 933 yards from scrimmage while missing six games during the 2020 season, but had 1,550 during an injury-free 2019 campaign.

Ekeler shouldn’t have to worry about touches being taken because there’s still no clear cut No. 2 and 3 option, with Justin Jackson, Joshua Kelley and Larry Rountree III fighting for those spots.

In addition, Ekeler will be playing behind the best offensive line he’s had since coming into the league.

Heading into Year 5, should he stay healthy, Ekeler could be looking at his best campaign to date.

If I’m drafting, the multi-dimensional Ekeler is going to be selected with my early second-round selection in both standard and points per receptions (PPR) formats, and I am confident that he can finish as a top-5 running back when all is said and done.

Projection: 815 Rush Yds | 4 Rush Tds | 88 Rec | 801 Rec Yds | 7 Rec Tds