Austin Ekeler Rumors: Chargers Approached RB About New Contract in 2022

As Austin Ekeler continues to pursue a trade because he is unhappy with his contract, it was reported Wednesday that the Los Angeles Chargers approached the star running back last year about reworking his deal.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Chargers tried to give Ekeler a deal that would've given him more money during the 2022 season to reward him for his performance.

Ekeler's agent, Cameron Weiss, told ESPN's Adam Schefter on March 14 that the Chargers gave them permission to seek a trade after the two sides were unable to make progress on a new contract.

Appearing on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, Ekeler explained his side of the saga as being like he was "punched in the face" because the Chargers told him they didn't want to talk about an extension anymore.

Ekeler did acknowledge the "worst-case scenario" is he might end up having to play out the final year of his deal with the Chargers in 2023 and become a free agent.

An undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado in 2017, Ekeler has spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers. He signed a four-year, $24.5 million contract in March 2020.

Ekeler's $6.125 million average annual salary ranks 14th among all running backs going into the 2023 season. Miles Sanders ($6.35 million) and Nyheim Hines ($6.2 million) are directly above him on the list.

It's unclear what Ekeler is seeking from a new contract. The top three free-agent running backs this offseason—Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard—all received the franchise tag from their current teams.

Aaron Jones and Nick Chubb are the last running backs to sign multiyear extensions worth at least $12 million per season. Both of those deals were signed during the offseason in 2021.

Ekeler has been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL over the last six years. The 27-year-old has led the league in total touchdowns in each of the past two seasons and has racked up more than 1,500 yards from scrimmage three times in the previous four years.