Chargers RB Austin Ekeler to return to the team in 2023 after requesting trade

Running back Austin Ekeler, the most prolific touchdown scorer in the NFL, is sticking with the Chargers after initially asking for a trade.

The Chargers were able to make Ekeler happier with the final year of his contract by awarding him $1.75 million in possible incentives for the fall. Before the running back and his team came to terms, Ekeler requested a trade. The team said to test the market, but there weren’t a ton of open spots for a lead back.

Ekeler came to LA as an undrafted free agent in 2017. By the next season, he was the starting running back. Ekeler signed a new contract in 2020. This coming season is his final year under the new deal.

The tailback no-showed at Monday’s opening of OTAs for the Chargers. Coach Brandon Staley said he expects his star back for mandatory minicamp, which starts June 13.

“The current state with Austin is that he’s one of the top backs in the league over the last two seasons. He’s been a captain for us,” Staley told reporters “We really have the utmost respect for him and the situation.”

Ekeler put together his best season in 2022. He rushed 204 times for 915 yards and caught 107 passes for another 702. Collectively, he scored 18 touchdowns — 13 via the rush, five from receptions. He lined up in the backfield 702 times. But he also lined up in the slot 52 times and out wide for 17.

“We stand behind him and he’s one of those guys that we support no matter what,” quarterback Justin Herbert told reporters last month of Ekeler’s trade request. “He’s a guy that shows up and he plays hard and he works about as hard as anyone on and off the field.”

But back in March, Ekeler began publicly complaining about how underpaid he was. Before sides agreed to an extra incentives package, Ekeler was set to earn $6.125 million. That salary ranked only 13th best in the NFL. Running backs no longer pull down a ton of cash. Still, Ekeler is no where near the top highest paid backs. Christian McCaffrey tops all backs, earning $16 million in 2023. New Orleans’ Alvin Kamara makes $15 million. Viking runner Dalvin Cook ranks third at $12.6 million. There’s talk that Minnesota might trade Cook. Derrick Henry of the Titans will receive $12.5 million. And Cleveland’s Nick Chubb, at $12.2 million, rounds out the top five.