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Free Agent Austin Ekeler Clarifies Comments About Leaving LA

Originally posted on FanNation Charger Report
By Ricardo Sandoval | Last updated 1/10/24

It's officially the offseason for your Los Angeles Chargers. LA will look to rebuild and reload in the next couple of months, which could determine how their 2024 season will go.

Many players will be donning the powder blue again, and a lot will wear a different jersey in 2024. We don't know who that will be just yet, and that goes for their star running back Austin Ekeler. Ekeler is now officially an unrestricted free agent and can choose anywhere he wants to go or anyone who would take him.

Although he wanted to get out of Los Angeles before the 2023 season, he isn't ruling out the possibility of returning.

Austin Ekeler said his comments last night about not being with the Chargers anymore were just about not being with this group of players again.

He said he isn’t closing any doors on a return to the Chargers.
— Kris Rhim (@krisrhim1) January 8, 2024

The 28-year-old requested a trade from the Bolts in March 2023 after the two sides could not progress on a new contract. After months of nothing happening, Ekeler signed and got a $2 million incentive boost.

This was the season Ekeler was supposed to show the Chargers and the NFL he is worthy of a ton of money on his next contract. Instead, he had one of his worst seasons and will be lucky to get half of what he wanted before the 2023 season. Ekeler is coming off a nightmarish season, rushing for 628 yards (38th) on 179 carries, five rushing touchdowns (T-24th), and rushing for an average of 3.5 per carry.

Considering what happened last off-season and how he played this season, it's hard to imagine Ekeler back in the powder blue. With a new head coach and general manager on the horizon, I believe Ekeler's time in Los Angeles is done.

It was a nice ride while it lasted; unfortunately, it ended in the worst possible way, but I think it's time for both sides to move on. Whatever happens, I'm sure the Chargers will welcome him back with open arms, but if this is the end, we thank him for everything he's done for the organization and community.

This article first appeared on FanNation Charger Report and was syndicated with permission.

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