
Over the past two seasons no player has found the endzone as many times as Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. So after reworking his contract and reporting to mandatory minicamp, he wants to clarify his position.
Speaking to USA Today’s Tyler Dragon, Ekeler said he was thankful for how things worked out with the team. He said that he understands the business side of the game and is happy to have met the Chargers on “something in the middle” of what he sought.
“What’s been happening with the atmosphere around the running back market has been pretty tough,” Ekeler said. “I am thankful for the way it played out. The Chargers did give me something in the middle, some type of incentive. I am appreciative of that because they didn’t have to do that. I understand there’s a business side to all of this. But I wouldn’t be doing myself service if I was going and trying to find more value while I can.”
Austin Ekeler: I’m thankful for the way things played out with Chargers. https://t.co/w1xKsrDbN9
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 15, 2023
Austin Ekeler is coming off back-to-back seasons with over 1,500 yards from scrimmage and has scored 38 touchdowns in that span.
Ekeler is arguably the best dual-threat running back in the entire league and the numbers reflect it everywhere except in Ekeler’s contract.
If this change to Ekeler’s contract is as incentive-based as it’s believed to be, he should have little issue reaching those milestones unless he gets injured.
Will Ekeler get a big money extension next year instead?