Austin Ekeler is seeking a long-term deal after requesting a trade
Are we witnessing the downfall of the Los Angeles chargers at this very moment? Superstar running back Austin Ekeler has requested a trade and is relentlessly seeking a long-term deal. The 27-year-old running back believes he is being ‘so underpaid’. Via theScore.
Ekeler has been the focal point of the Los Angeles Chargers offense for his entire career. The former West Colorado Mountaineer has had productivity written all over him since he stepped on an NFL field. He’s had over five touchdowns in five out of six seasons with the Chargers and almost 1,000 combined yards in every season except his rookie year. With all this production, Ekeler is craving for a payday and a long-term deal.
“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.’ That couldn’t be further from the truth,” Ekeler said on the “Green Light with Chris Long” podcast. “I would like to stay if it was under the right circumstances.”
“I feel like there’s no timeline on (a trade). I’m so underpaid right now as far as my contract and what I contribute to the team. I am relentlessly pursuing this. I want to get something long-term done.”
Ekeler sought permission to request a trade from the Chargers on March 13th this year after extension talk with the Chargers didn’t go anywhere. The veteran running back will enter free agency in 2024. With free agency coming into the picture, Ekeler wants a deal done and to get paid big money.
Right now, Ekeler is making an average salary of only $6.125 million. For a running back, that is pocket change for NFL teams, and for a running back at the caliber of Austin Ekeler he’s going to go where the money is.
“If there’s an opportunity to get more value, then why would you not jump on that? Why would you not at least try out the options?” he said. “And worst-case scenario–it’s not even a worst-case, really–but, OK, go play on the last year of your deal in L.A., then become a free agent.” (Full quotes via theScore.)
Ekeler has spent his entire career with the Chargers, but with a deal falling through and the running back getting antsy for a long-term deal, who knows where he’s going to go.
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