Austin Ekeler wants to be paid what he believes he’s worth, and that’s a good deal more than he’ll make in the final season of a four-season, $24.5-million contract extension he signed with the Chargers on March 16, 2020. He’s eligible for a new extension, and he believes he’s earned it.
“I think it’s really important to put it out there that it’s not like, ‘Oh, I hate the Chargers and I need to get out of this organization and I need to leave,’” Ekeler told former NFL player Chris Long on his podcast Monday. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. I would like to stay if it was under the right circumstances.
Ekeler, 27, led the Chargers with 915 yards rushing and 107 receptions this past season, his sixth with the team that signed him as an undrafted free agent from Western State in Gunnison, Colorado. He had 18 touchdowns one season after scoring 20, leading the NFL both years.in recent weeks, Ekeler asked the Chargers for permission to seek a trade. The Chargers granted his wish and then moved ahead with free-agent signings that included linebacker Eric Kendricks and right tackle Trey Pipkins III.
McCaffrey gained 1,139 yards rushing and caught 85 passes this past season, joining the 49ers after a trade with the Carolina Panthers after Week 6.