NEWSLETTER
After an offseason of speculation that included a trade request, Austin Ekeler is staying in Los Angeles. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ekeler and the Chargers have agreed to a reworked contract to make it happen.
In March, Ekeler requested permission to seek a trade. A day later, he was granted permission by the Chargers, according to reports.
Ekeler is heading into the final year of his contract and was due to make $6.25 million this season. Ekeler was looking for a new deal with the Chargers. Unfortunately, contract discussions haven’t materialized how he would have liked, and his trade request put pressure on the Chargers.
Ekeler led the league with 20 touchdowns in 2021. He also led the league with 18 touchdowns in 2022. Ekeler caught a career-high 107 passes last year and tallied 722 yards receiving. He also rushed for 915 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley recently said he expects Austin Ekeler to attend mandatory minicamp on June 13. With a little more juice on Ekeler’s 2023 contract, Staley will get his wish.
According to Schefter, Ekeler’s reworked deal includes close to $2 million in incentives. That would push the value of Ekeler’s deal up to roughly $8.25 million this season.
