Austin Ekeler reveals (obvious) reason he signed with the Commanders

Austin Ekeler was a league leader before joining the Washington Commanders. Although he isn't the prime player he once was, his presence and impact are what made the move great for this organization.

The Commanders appreciate having a player like Ekeler around, too, but it wasn't too long ago that his former team failed to show the same appreciation. So, Ekeler opted to sign with Washington, and for one specific reason.

"I end up linking up with my (former) head coach Anthony Lynn, who I had all my success early on with," Ekeler said on a recent podcast. "He's with the Commanders now. Boom, we get that deal signed."

Lynn, of course, was the Chargers' head coach previously before ultimately ending up as the running backs coach in Washington after a couple of other stops.

Austin Ekeler knew Anthony Lynn's connection would help him move on from what became a toxic situation

Along with describing his connection with Lynn being the biggest reason he signed with Washington, Ekeler also revealed how poorly things had started to spiral in Los Angeles before he moved on.

"I'm going to the Chargers like, 'Hey, let's get an extension, strike while the iron is hot.' I had one more year left on my contract ... they say 'no.'

"I'm like, 'OK let me go find a trade.' They're like, 'OK great, but we want a first-round pick for you.' I'm like, 'oh, so you don't want to pay me but you want a first-round pick,'" he said.

The tone of the conversation definitely showed a level of insult that really bothered Ekeler, and for good reason. He had just finished his second-straight season leading the NFL in touchdowns and the team essentially slapped him in the face.

To Ekeler's point, also, there was no way a team would have offered a first rounder in a trade. He clearly wasn't the player he once was, and I'm sure even he would've admitted that. Ekeler just wanted what was fair, and the Chargers gave him a hard 'no.'

Now, he's in a position where his new team is looking like a true contender and, although he isn't the focal point of the offense, Ekeler's impact is still being felt.

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