Chargers give running back Austin Ekeler permission to seek a trade
Frustrated by the pace of talks on an extension, the agent for running back Austin Ekeler has been given permission by the Chargers to speak to other teams about trade options.
Cameron Weiss had requested permission Monday, just minutes into the free-agent negotiating period, and Tuesday was given the OK.
Ekeler has a base salary of $6.25 million in 2023, the final season of a four-year, $24.5-million extension he signed in March 2020.
That deal ranks 15th in average annual value among NFL running backs. Based on Ekeler’s performance, the website overthecap.com placed the valuation on his 2022 season at slightly more than $12 million.
Over the last two seasons, no one in the NFL has scored more touchdowns from scrimmage than Ekeler’s 38. That’s 12 more than second-place James Conner.
Despite rumors to contrary and salary-cap concerns, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco declared star receiver Keenan Allen ‘isn’t going anywhere.’
Ekeler, who turns 28 in May, has spent all six years of his career with the Chargers. He originally signed as an undrafted free agent out of Western State in Colorado in 2017.
He has led the Chargers in rushing in each of the last three seasons and has caught at least 54 passes in every season since 2019.
Ekeler’s ability to reach the goal line, particularly from inside the red zone, has proved vital for the Chargers, who in recent seasons have struggled to run the ball.
Six running backs have more fully guaranteed money on their current deals than Ekeler signed for three years ago. That group includes Christian McCaffrey, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara and Nick Chubb.
This month, three running backs — Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs and Saquon Barkley — were given franchise tags valued at a little more than $10 million for the 2023 season.
The Chargers have slightly more than $18 million in cap space, according to overthecap.
Always viewed as undersized and underestimated, Austin Ekeler went from hidden star in rural Colorado to a growing star running back with the Chargers.
Along with restocking their roster this offseason, they also are expected to pursue an extension with quarterback Justin Herbert. That contract would include more than $100 million guaranteed.
The Chargers did make a couple deals Monday. Former UCLA star Eric Kendricks announced on social media that he had agreed to terms with the Chargers, who officially announced the multi-year contract Tuesday.
Kendricks, who turned 31 last month, spent the first eight years of his career with Minnesota, which drafted him in the second round in 2015. He was released in a salary cap move last week.
Kendricks has started 113 of his 117 career games and was named an All-Pro in 2019, the same season in which he was selected to his only Pro Bowl.
At 6 feet, 232 pounds, he started all 17 games in 2022, finishing with 137 tackles, eight for lost yardage. Kendricks had a career-high five sacks in 2021.
In four years at UCLA, he totaled nearly 500 tackles. He won the 2014 Butkus Award and Lott Trophy. The Chargers’ leading tackler from last season, linebacker Drue Tranquill, is an unrestricted free agent.
Now that the Carolina Panthers have acquired the No. 1 pick from the Bears, a look at which teams might select the top four quarterbacks in the draft.
The Chargers also re-signed one of Herbert’s backups — Easton Stick — to a one-year extension with $1.15 million fully guaranteed, according to overthecap.
Among the free agents the Chargers are believed to be interested in is safety John Johnson III, who played the last two seasons with Cleveland.
Johnson was with the Rams in 2020, when Chargers coach Brandon Staley was the team’s defensive coordinator.
Nasir Adderley, who has been a starter the last three seasons for the Chargers at safety, is an unrestricted free agent.
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