Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent who received a $5,000 signing bonus in 2017 when he joined the Chargers. Heading into his seventh season in Los Angeles, Ekeler now realizes it could be his last.
Ekeler, responsible for 6,600 scrimmage yards and 58 touchdowns over the last five seasons, is entering a contract year. The 5-foot-10 running back wanted a contract extension, seeking a new deal that made him one of the highest-paid running backs with a salary that reflected his value.
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- Austin Ekeler contract: $6.25 million base salary, $9.1 million cap hit in 2023
However, the Chargers never really wanted to explore a contract extension. In order to avoid Ekeler holding out, the franchise adjusted his deal and provided him with an additional $1.75 million that could be earned through incentives.
While Ekeler will be with the team in training camp and is ready to play in the upcoming season, the 28-year-old also admits he’s staying because he’s obligated and his future in Los Angeles remains uncertain.
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Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Ekeler provided insight into his approach this offseason and then admitted he will fulfill his obligation to Los Angeles this season before hitting free agency.
“For me, I understand that I have one more obligation here. One more year that I’m obligated to be here. I wanted to go poke around and see if there was any other value. If not, right? Come back and have my last year. Like I said before, do what I can do here.”
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler on this offseason and his future (H/T NFL.com)
Ekeler is experiencing what many of his peers are going through right now. Instead of allowing Josh Jacobs, Saquon Barkley and Tony Pollard to become free agents, the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys all placed the franchise tag on their running backs.
Not only did those moves prevent them from reaching the open market, but it also locked in their salaries at $10 million. The value of the franchise tag for running backs has dipped in recent years and the trend will likely continue next year after Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook were cut this offseason.
- Austin Ekeler stats (2022): 915 rushing yards, 13 rushing touchdowns, 107 receptions, 722 receiving yards, 5.3 yards per touch
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It’s part of the reason why Ekeler’s desire for a contract extension or to be traded to a team that would sign him to a long-term deal was unfulfilled this year. While salaries are rising at every other position, teams have learned that cost-cutting can be done at running back because there are so many quality players available.
Unfortunately for Ekeler, this also means he’ll be impacted by this again in 2024. If the Chargers don’t place the franchise tag on him, he’ll hit the open market and find a limited number of suitors interested in a 29-year-old running back who has never handled more than 206 carries in a season and whose efficiency as a pass-catcher could be dipping.
