Austin Ekeler News

The report notes that the running back's request stems from a lack of progress in discussions regarding a new contract. Per Lindsey Thiry of ESPN, Ekeler is slated to earn $6.25 million in 2023, the final portion of his current four-year, $24.5 million contract. It remains to be seen if Ekeler's request leads to a trade, or alternatively results in an extension from the Chargers, but either way, the star back appears to be angling for payday more in line with his high level of production.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has requested permission from the team to contact other teams about a potential trade. Ekeler's agent, Cameron Weiss, reportedly told ESPN that the star running back had requested a contract extension with the Chargers, but that preliminary talks with the team "did not progress". Other teams may take an interest in Ekeler's skills in both the passing and rushing game, though he may struggle to find many willing suitors given the current group of running backs available in free agency. Ekeler has led the league in touchdowns from scrimmage in each of the past two seasons and has proven himself as a dependable, every-down back over the course of the three seasons since the departure of Melvin Gordon. The Chargers have tried and failed to find a reliable second running back since Gordon's departure as well, and Ekeler has remained the only back on the team capable of success in that time.

Schefter suggests that the star running back's reported request stems from a lack of progress in discussions regarding a potential contract extension with Ekeler. It remains to be seen if the Chargers are amenable to moving Ekeler, but under the current terms of his deal with the team, the 27-year-old is due $6.25 million in 2023, the final year of his deal with Los Angeles.

Ekeler appeared to be in line for a massive game, as he reached the end zone twice in the first quarter from 13 and six yards away. However, he struggled significantly from an efficiency perspective, particularly in the second half when he had only five carries for zero yards. Perhaps most concerning was Ekeler's lack of involvement as a pass catcher, as he earned four or fewer targets in his final five contests. He'll enter the final year of his current contract with the Chargers in 2023 and will undoubtedly continue to serve as the team's lead back.

Ekeler put together a largely pedestrian performance to close out the regular season, although of overriding importance was the fact he came out of the contest unscathed. Ekeler finished campaign with three straight four-catch efforts to put the finishing touches on a 107-722-5 line through the air, and he also eclipsed the 900-yard mark on the ground for the second consecutive season. Ekeler is naturally slated to play a pivotal role in the Chargers' playoff fortunes beginning with next weekend's road wild-card road matchup against the Jaguars.

Ekeler saw his lowest carry total since Week 13, though he did plenty of damage on limited touches. The highlight was a 72-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter, which came five minutes of game time after Ekeler had found the end zone from 10 yards away. Though he did plenty of damage as a rusher, Ekeler also bounced back as a receiver, a positive sign given that he had only 24 combined receiving yards across his last two games. With playoff seeding potentially still in the balance, Ekeler could take the field for a Week 18 matchup against the Broncos.