Los Angeles Chargers

Report: Austin Ekeler requests permission from Los Angeles Chargers to speak with other teams about possible trade

Published by
Jason Simpson

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is reportedly requesting permission to speak with other teams around the league about a potential trade.

Preliminary extension talks between the Chargers and Ekeler reportedly “did not progress,” and as a result, it sounds like the 27-year-old is trying to figure out what his best move is.

If Ekeler were traded, he’d likely be one of the biggest names moved this offseason.

The 5-foot-8, 200-pound running back is a nice success story. After going undrafted in 2017, he has made a name for himself at the NFL level.

Ekeler has spent his entire NFL career with the Chargers, and his past couple of seasons have been the best of his career.

In the 2021 campaign, he totaled 911 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns while averaging 4.4 yards per carry. He also made a major impact through the air, catching 70 passes for 647 yards and eight touchdowns.

In the 2022 season, his production was similar. He rushed for 915 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 4.5 yards per attempt. The Nebraska native added 107 receptions for 722 yards and five scores.

In both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, he led the league in combined rushing and receiving touchdowns.

The Chargers presumably don’t want to lose Ekeler this offseason. He’s under contract for one more season, and he’d be a difficult player to replace ahead of the 2023 campaign. He’s an extremely important part of L.A.’s offensive system.

But the organization certainly has to keep the long game in mind, and if Ekeler is a threat to leave the Chargers after the 2023 season, then trading him away now makes some sense.

The Chargers are coming off a season in which they made the playoffs for the first time in a few years. Unfortunately, their campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion, as they lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round of the postseason.

L.A. is looking to get over the hump and already has some great pieces in place, but losing Ekeler would certainly be tough for fans to stomach. It’s unclear if the Chargers will honor the running back’s request to speak with other teams, so that’s something to monitor as the story continues to unfold.

Jason Simpson

Jason is a copy writer and editor with experience covering professional sports and current events. He is excited about being a part of the Ahn Fire Digital team.

Published by
Jason Simpson

Recent Posts

Hall of Famer claims Steph Curry would’ve averaged 17 PPG or less in his era: ‘We would’ve hurt him’

An anonymous Hall of Famer allegedly told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that if Golden State…

43 mins ago

Report: NBA GM believed Grizzlies would have had to shop Ja Morant this summer before they fired Taylor Jenkins

Earlier on in the year, long before the Memphis Grizzlies dismissed Taylor Jenkins after he…

1 day ago

Ja Morant opens up about Grizzlies firing Taylor Jenkins: ‘It’s tough for me’

Guard Ja Morant suited up for the first time since the Memphis Grizzlies fired Taylor…

2 days ago

Tyrese Haliburton on ‘easy decision’ to name SGA MVP: ‘If you took a player poll, I’m sure he would win’

Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a compelling case to win this season's MVP…

3 days ago

Report: ‘Early expectation’ is that Clint Capela will sign elsewhere this summer

Big man Clint Capela is in his fifth season playing for the Atlanta Hawks, and…

5 days ago

Stephen A. says LeBron is in his feelings: ‘Could it be because I don’t believe you’re the G.O.A.T.?’

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith claimed on Wednesday that if his confrontation with Los Angeles Lakers…

6 days ago