Earlier this offseason Austin Ekeler caused quite a stir when he asked for permission to seek a trade. The 28-year-old star running back will be going into the final year of his contract and was set to make $6.25 million this year. Ekeler let it be known that he was seeking a new contract but that was not progressing to his liking.
It became one of the biggest topics this offseason as trade rumors were swirling on where Ekeler might end up. You can now put those rumors to rest as Ekeler has agreed to stay on with the Los Angeles Chargers. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ekeler will be given $2 million in incentives added to his base $6.25 million salary. Presumably, if the Chargers and Ekeler can’t come to terms on a new contract this year he will become a free agent.
This upcoming season will be the final year of his 4-year/$24 million contract Ekeler signed in March of 2020. Understandably the market has changed and Ekeler wants to earn his value. Ekeler is not the prototypical running back as he has a dual-threat ability not many can match. Last year alone he tallied up 722 receiving yards on a whopping 107 receptions.
Regardless of what happens between the Chargers and Ekeler this year, there will always be a market for him. In today’s modern NFL Austin Ekeler is the weapon many teams are coveting.
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