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

Chargers star RB lays out worst-case scenario for 2023

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 4/6/23

While there has been no movement on the Austin Ekeler trade front, the 27-year-old running back understands he may have to wait for a few other dominoes to fall in place first.

During a recent interview with “Fantasy Dirt” on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio , Ekeler stated he wants to be a member of the Los Angeles Chargers, but he felt disrespected when the team broke off discussions about a long-term extension a few weeks ago.

“I kind of got punched in the face when the Chargers said, ‘Hey, we don’t want to talk about extensions anymore,’” he said. “This is an organization that I’ve continued to rise and hit new heights in and continue to add more value, score the most touchdowns from scrimmage the past two years. That’s how it felt, like wow, this was the first time in my career with them that I felt disrespected by the whole organization.”

Where do things stand with Austin Ekeler and the #Chargers ? pic.twitter.com/PCuMwfAKFS
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) April 3, 2023

Ekeler, who’s in the final season of the four-year, $24.5 million contract with the Chargers, recently disclosed he’s seeking a higher salary on a long-term deal simply because he’s outperformed his contract.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that no headway has been made between the Chargers and Ekeler. He added the team actually approached him last season about reworking his deal, but nothing ever came of it.

Only Justin Jefferson (3,463 yards), Josh Jacobs (3,273 yards) and Nick Chubb (3,197 yards) have more yards from scrimmage over the last two seasons than Ekeler’s 3,195 yards. He had 915 yards rushing, 722 yards receiving and 18 total touchdowns in 2022, and he's scored 12 more touchdowns than the next-closest player over the last two years.

“We'll see what happens with the draft,” Ekeler said. “But it’s a situation where, look, if a team wants me in the long term, it’s a year where they’re going to have to give up picks and then also have to renegotiate, so that’s kind of playing against us for sure. … I guess the worst-case scenario right now out of all of it, I’ll come back and I’ll have to play for the Chargers for a year and bet on myself and then be a free agent next year.”

Christian McCaffrey and Austin Ekeler are the only two players to have at least 3,000 rushing yards and 3,000 receiving yards over the last five seasons.#NFL | #Chargers pic.twitter.com/OlCUj4cR5m
— Pro Football Reference (@pfref) March 21, 2023