"Got punched in the face" - Austin Ekeler opens up on Chargers future after seeking trade permission
Will Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler be traded this off-season?
The star running back, who has led the league in total touchdowns (38) in the last two seasons, requested a trade from the team this off-season. He was granted permission by the team, and the star back realized he may end up having to play another year for the Chargers.
Ekeler made an appearance on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio and spoke about his situation with the Chargers since requesting a trade.
Ekeler said:
"Look, I guess the worst-case scenario right now out of all of it, I'll come back and I'll have to play for the Chargers for a year and bet on myself and then be a free agent next year."
He then expressed how it felt like the Chargers punched him in the face during negotiations.
He said:
"I kind of got punched in the face."
"Last year, we went to them and were like, 'Hey, are you guys interested?' It was definitely too early then; we didn't really have as much leverage so we didn't try as hard. They gave us an offer, but it was like, 'Hey, take this and we can continue our discount that we're getting."
He added that since he outplayed his compensation once again, he wouldn't be open to taking a hometown discount again.
Ekeler added:
"And we were like, 'Ah, we can't do that.' So I played this year on my contract again and obviously set the bar high, way higher than I'm actually being compensated for once again."
Austin Ekeler realizes one more year with L.A. might be in store: "I guess the worst-case scenario right now out of all of it, I'll come back and I'll have to play for the Chargers for a year and bet on myself and then be a free agent next year."
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How much is Austin Ekeler getting paid this season?
Austin Ekeler has a base salary of just $6.25 million in 2023. Via soptrac.com, he currently has 12-highest cap hits for running backs this season.
Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade, @AdamSchefter.
Ekeler will only make $6.25 million in base salary in 2023. https://t.co/OqFVRDfqxw
He's entering the final year of his four-year, $24.5 million contract.
Ekeler will be 28 next season but is worth another contract. The running back market has dried up this off-season, as Miles Sanders signed the biggest deal which was a four-year, $25.4 million deal.
If Ekeler has another good season, he could earn himself another contract next off-season. With the RB market not as lucrative as it has been, it's hard to predict whether or not Ekeler will get a larger contract than his current one.
If you use any of the above quotes, please credit Austin Ekeler, SiriusXM, NFL.com, and H/T Sportskeeda.