NFL Free Agency: Austin Ekeler signing two-year deal with Washington Commanders

After spending the first seven seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers, running back Austin Ekeler hit free agency in 2024. Now, he knows more about his future in the NFL.

According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, Ekeler has agreed to a two-year, $11.43 million deal with the Washington Commanders.

Veteran RB Austin Ekeler is signing with the #Commanders on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, per sources.

After seven seasons — and 69 TDs! — with the #Chargers, Ekeler has a new home on a deal negotiated by agents Justin Ross and Greg Brookey of @DynamicSportGrp. pic.twitter.com/3oh6wOvEpZ

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024

An undrafted free agent in 2017 out of Division II Western Colorado, Austin Ekeler has been excellent during his career with the Chargers. He got his first start in 2018 and quickly became one of the most important offensive players in Los Angeles.

Over the course of his career, Austin Ekeler has started 68 games and played in 103 for the Chargers. During that time, he accumulated 4,355 yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground and 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns through the air.

More on the 2024 NFL offseason, free agency

The NFL 2024 calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 13th. At that time, contracts running through 2023 officially run out, making those players free agents. Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on February 20th at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 5th. Beginning March 11th through March 13th teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are set to become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 19th marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 24th, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits. Following the restricted free agent deadline follows the 2024 NFL Draft, which runs from April 25-27th.

More on restricted, exclusive rights free agents

Players with only three years of accredited NFL experience become restricted free agents. Their original team will have the option to apply first-round, second-round, original-round, and right-of-fight-of-first-refusal tenders on players at escalating price tags. The higher the round, the more expensive the tender amount; however, if a separate team does offer a contract and the original team does not match that round pick will be conveyed from the new team to the original team. Right of first refusal only gives a team the option to match or not. If they don’t match, they get nothing in return. An original-round tender would send a draft pick from whatever round the player was drafted back to the original team if they chose not to match. The original team will have five days to match once a player signs an offer sheet from a new team.