David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photos
Nonetheless with no new deal or commerce in place, Los Angeles Chargers operating again Austin Ekeler is anticipated to be with the group for obligatory minicamp, in accordance with coach Brandon Staley.
Ekeler, 28, was granted permission to explore a trade earlier this offseason after being sad with how negotiations over a brand new contract extension had been progressing. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that he would not count on Ekeler to be dealt anytime quickly.
Regardless of making the request, Ekeler nonetheless needs to stay with the group that signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
“I wish to be a Charger,” he said in an interview with SiriusXM Fantasy Sports activities Radio in April.
Going into the ultimate 12 months of his four-year, $24.5 million extension that he signed in 2020, Ekeler is ready to make $6.4 million in 2023, per Spotrac. His deal leaves him because the 14th-highest-paid player at his place.
That contract makes him a discount, given he has been among the finest backs within the league over the past couple of years, main the NFL in touchdowns again in 2021.
“I sort of received punched within the face when the Chargers mainly stated we do not wish to speak about extensions any extra,” Ekeler stated in that very same interview. “This is a company I proceed to rise and hit new heights in. That is the way it felt. It felt like, ‘Wow.’ This was the primary time in my profession with them I felt disrespected by my very own group. It sucks. I wish to be a Charger. I wish to be a Charger. I wish to be there and it sucks as a result of it is like, let’s get one thing achieved.
“Sure, I do have yet another 12 months on my contract, completely, however for them to wish to permit me to be a free agent subsequent 12 months, perhaps we’ll get one thing achieved all year long, who is aware of how it should play out, however that is how I am feeling proper now. We do not have perception into how they’re considering as a result of they’re similar to, ‘Nah, we do not wish to speak anymore.’”
The trepidation on behalf of the Chargers comes with the league-wide stigma about extending operating backs to large cash contracts, particularly these nearing 30 as Ekeler is. It’d nonetheless be a disgrace to see him go elsewhere although, contemplating the torrid run he is been on over the previous few seasons.
Final season Ekeler had the most effective 12 months of his profession, dashing for 915 yards and 13 touchdowns to go together with 722 yards and 5 extra scores via the air.
