Commanders' Austin Ekeler Explains 'Misalignment' with Jim Harbaugh, Chargers in FA

Austin Ekeler has never played for another NFL team outside the Los Angeles Chargers during an NFL career that dates back to 2017, but it became clear this offseason the team's new leadership group featuring head coach Jim Harbaugh wasn't going to bring him back.

And Ekeler understands and doesn't seem to have any hard feelings.

"They wanted a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year, and, look, I haven't had the capacity to do that," he said during a Monday appearance on Up & Adams with Kay Adams. "That's not my game. That's not how Austin Ekeler is going to be the best on the field. So there was a misalignment there, which, no harm no foul. I'll go somewhere else where Austin can be the best version of myself out there."

Ekeler ended up signing a two-year deal that can be worth up to $11.4 million with the Washington Commanders and figures to split carries with Brian Robinson Jr.

Harbaugh and Co. added former Baltimore Ravens running back J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards this offseason, so it's not as if the Chargers went for a 300-carry featured back either. The two figure to split carries much like they did at times with the Ravens, especially since they have both suffered significant injuries in recent years.

Ekeler will look to return to his 2022 form with a change of scenery.

He finished that season with 915 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground to go with 107 catches for 722 yards and five touchdowns as one of the best versatile offensive weapons in the league. However, he ran for a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 on his way to 628 yards and five touchdowns on the ground with 51 catches for 436 yards and one score.

Perhaps splitting time with Robinson and finding his way in a new offense will help him put last season behind him.