Tag: Austin Ekeler extension

Chargers’ Brandon Staley expects Austin Ekeler to be at mandatory minicamp

The Chargers began OTAs on Monday and Austin Ekeler was a non-participant.

The Chargers began their 2023 voluntary organized team activities (OTAs) on Monday. Nearly all players were in attendance, but there was one notable who was not: running back Austin Ekeler.

Despite being absent, head coach Brandon Staley said he expects Ekeler to participate in mandatory minicamp, which begins on June 13.

Ekeler is seeking a new contract as he is in the final year of his current deal and is set to make $6.2 million this season.

Los Angeles granted Ekeler and his agent permission to seek a trade partner earlier this month after negotiations on a contract extension did not progress.

Ekeler believes the product that he has put on the field is worth garnering a paycheck that puts him near the top of the running back market. He has 38 total touchdowns in the past two seasons, the most among NFL skill players in that timeframe.

Ekeler is an extremely valuable piece, but his positional value might not be considered important enough by Los Angeles or other teams to pay him more.

It will be interesting to see if the Bolts budge and decide to iron out some extension for Ekeler or if he chooses to hold in and threaten to sit out.

Brandon Staley on Austin Ekeler: ‘We want this guy to be a Charger’

Brandon Staley sounds off on Austin Ekeler after he was granted permission to seek a trade.

The Chargers gave running back Austin Ekeler permission to seek a trade after the two parties failed to come to an agreement on a contract extension.

As of now, Ekeler remains a member of the team. And head coach Brandon Staley is hopeful that it stays that way.

“We’ve been in full communication with his team,” Staley told NFL Media’s Steve Wyche. “I think there’s alignment and a way forward. We want him to be a Charger. I think that that’s something that Tom [Telesco] has said. It’s something I’ve said. We want this guy to be a Charger.”

Ekeler signed a four-year, $24.5 million deal in 2020. He is due to make $6.25 million this year. He is an important piece of the offense, but his positional value might not be seen as crucial enough by Los Angeles to be worth paying him as much as he is hoping for.

“We’re also respectful of his position, and we’re going to see where it goes. There’s going to be time now between now and our first game, and we’ll see what happens. But I know the Chargers feel very strongly about Austin Ekeler. He’s just been fantastic for us.”

Last season, Ekeler had 915 yards and 13 touchdowns on 204 carries and also led the Chargers with 107 catches and five receiving touchdowns. Ekeler has 38 total touchdowns in the past two seasons, which is the most among NFL skill players.

Ekeler 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. He has missed only one game in the past two seasons.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler’s reaction to new contract is priceless

Austin Ekeler went from undrafted to one of the top dual-threat running backs in the entire NFL

“Are you serious,” Chargers running back Austin Ekeler said when he found out from his agent Cameron Weiss that he was receiving a contract extension for four years worth $24.5 million.

Ekeler was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado College in 2017. From that time through the 2019 season, he made a little north of $1.5 million.

But after proving to be one of the league’s best dual-threat running backs, the 23-year old received a well-deserved raise last week, inking him through the 2024 season.

Proving to man the No. 1 role while Melvin Gordon held out early on, Ekeler amassed 557 rushing yards on 132 attempts with three touchdowns and added 92 receptions for 993 receiving yards and eight receiving scores in 2019.

For his efforts, he’s getting paid like a top offensive player. But even though he’s getting a heftier paycheck, Ekeler knows the money isn’t going to have an affect on the player he is.

“One of the things that’s crazy about the NFL is when I got to camp, I’m sitting in a room with guys who make $10 million a year. I see what everyone’s making, and I said, ‘Dang! That’s a lot of money!’ That’s why I’m laughing when Cameron tells me about the deal—it just didn’t seem real that I’d be making that money.

“You know how people say, ‘More money, more problems.’ I think money exemplifies your true character. It’s going to bring out the person I truly am. I live in the moment. The best chance you have to succeed is living in the moment—nothing matters except what you do to be better now. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ll continue to be.”

With Gordon set to hit the free agency market, Ekeler sits atop of the depth chart. It’s uncertain if the Chargers will bring in another body to join him and Justin Jackson. Regardless, he has proven to thrive no matter how or how much he is used.

Report: Chargers, RB Austin Ekeler agree to contract extension

The Los Angeles Chargers locked up the productive running back.

Running back Austin Ekeler is staying in Los Angeles.

Ekeler, who was set to be a restricted free agent later this month, agreed to terms on a four-year deal worth $24.5 million which includes $15 million guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

More to come on Ekeler’s extension.