‘So underpaid’ Ekeler has no ill will toward Chargers
Austin Ekeler has performed like one of the best running backs in the NFL during his career. But the Los Angeles Chargers standout finds himself in a contract bind this offseason.
Ekeler, who turns 28 in May, is under contract for the season for $6.25 million and wants a long-term deal that reflects his production. He has received permission to seek a trade.
“I’m so underpaid right now as far as my contract and what I contribute to the team, it’s like, I am relentlessly pursuing this,” he said Monday on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast. “I want to get something long term done. I want a team that wants me long term. I’m at the peak of my game, right? As long as I’m healthy, I’m gonna score you another 20 touchdowns. I’m gonna have, you know, another 1600 all-purpose yards. I’m getting half my value of what I could be getting. I am relentlessly pursuing someone who wants me for the long term.”
Ekeler led all NFL players with 18 total TDs last season and was tied with Jonathan Taylor with 20 total TDs in 2021. He also played in 33 of 34 games over the past two seasons.
Ekeler signed a four-year, $24.5 million contract in 2020.
According to Over the Cap, Ekeler’s average annual salary ranks 14th among all NFL running backs, with San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey topping the list at $16 million, while New Orleans Saints star Alvin Kamara makes $15 million a year.
Ekeler also made it clear his contract status has not caused a rift between him and the Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
“I think it’s really important to put it out there that it’s not like, ‘Oh, I hate the Chargers and I need to get out of this organization, and I need to leave,’ ” he said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. I would like to stay if it was under the right circumstances.
“Obviously, I have one more year on my contract there, so I’m contractually obligated to play for them for this upcoming year. So, we’re in a situation where it’s like, look, we have no guarantees or anything like that this year, so kind of in a spot where I’ve been outplaying my contract, and we might have an opportunity to go seek out other options that can bring me up.”
Ekeler was eighth among all players with 1,637 yards from scrimmage in 2022. He was tied with Titans star Derrick Henry for second with 13 rushing TDs, while placing 18th with 915 yards rushing. He was also second behind McCaffrey with 722 yards receiving.