Star RB 'thankful' for contract compromise with Chargers

Austin Ekeler is changing his tune about playing for the Chargers in 2023 since it's a bear market for running backs this offseason.
 
"What's been happening with the atmosphere around the running back market has been pretty tough," Ekeler said Wednesday, per Tyler Dragon of USA Today. "I am thankful for the way it played out. The Chargers did give me something in the middle, some type of incentive." Earlier this offseason, the Chargers let Ekeler, who has one year remaining on his contract, seek a trade after extension discussions stalled. A trade never materialized, so the Chargers added $1.75M in incentives to Ekeler's contract to appease the 28-year-old.
 
Although Ekeler led the league in TDs (18 in 17 games) last season, there wasn't a strong interest in him because teams have significantly devalued RBs this year. The Cowboys released Ezekiel Elliott and the Vikings released Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook to cut costs. Las Vegas's Josh Jacobs, who led the league in rushing yards, received the franchise tag instead of a long-term deal. New York's Saquon Barkley also received the franchise tag.
 
Per OverTheCap, Ekeler is the league's 12th-highest-paid RB with a $6.125M average per year, so he's in a good position. However, his play merits an extension since he's accumulated the league's fourth-most yards (3,195) over the past two seasons. This season, Ekeler will try to improve his bargaining position and have another productive year.

"As far as my situation, I'll bet on myself any day of the week," Ekeler said. "That's what I've been doing all my life." The depressed RB market might give Ekeler that little bit of extra motivation to push him to have a spectacular season.