Austin Ekeler seeking trade after stalled negotiations with Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Austin Ekeler seeking trade after stalled contract negotiations with Chargers

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 3/13/23

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is presumably looking to cash in on back-to-back seasons with 1,500 or more all-purpose yards.

However, the Chargers appear unwilling to play ball according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, prompting Ekeler to explore the possibility of playing elsewhere in 2023.

Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 13, 2023

Ekeler is entering the final season of the four-year, $24.5M contract he signed with the Chargers in 2020. He’s set to make $6.25M in 2023.

Ekeler led the Chargers in rushing the last three seasons, and he’s the first running back to top the 900-yard rushing plateau for the franchise since Melvin Gordon in 2017. He also set a Chargers franchise record for single-season receptions by a running back (107) this season.

The 27-year-old tailback ran for over 900 yards each of the last two seasons, totaling 1,558 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns in 2021 and 1,637 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns in 2022.

One of just four players over the last 15 years with 15 or more touchdowns in consecutive seasons, Ekeler is also one of just two players — the other being Marshall Faulk — to back-to-back seasons with 10 or more rushing touchdowns and five or more receiving touchdowns.

Ekeler and Priest Holmes are the only two undrafted players in NFL history to have consecutive seasons with 1,500 or more scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns.

You can see why the running back is looking for a payday.

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