Commanders To Sign RB Austin Ekeler

Ekeler worked out with the Panthers last week, with no agreement being finalized. Nevertheless, he has quickly managed to arrange a pact with a familiar team. Ekeler played for Washington in 2024 and ’25. He is now set to join the team’s 53-man roster with this deal, per the report.

An Achilles tear ended Ekeler’s second season in the nation’s capital. Now fully healed, the 31-year-old had been looking for an opportunity to return to the NFL. Ekeler will rejoin his previous team, although Washington’s offensive staff has undergone a number of changes since he was injured.

Through three games, the Commanders rank eighth in the NFL with an average of 132 rushing yards per game. Second-year back Jacory Croskey-Merritt leads the team in terms of ground production, and he is set to remain in a tandem with free agent addition Rachaad White moving forward. Ekeler recently noted any deal would come with a depth role in mind, so he is unlikely to unseat either of those two as an offensive regular. A reprisal of his 2024 kick return duties with the Commanders could be possible, though.

Ekeler’s previous Washington contract was a two-year deal worth $8.43MM. This new pact will no doubt check in at a much lower rate after injuries limited his playing time and effectiveness across the past two seasons. With over $26MM in cap space entering Monday, however, the Commanders certainly have the flexibility to afford a low-cost deal in this case.

During his seven-year run with the Chargers, Ekeler twice led the NFL in total touchdowns; he topped 1,000 scrimmage yards on four occasions. Similar production will not be expected for 2026, of course, but it will be interesting to see if he can carve out a role in a familiar setting.