Chargers Grant RB Austin Ekeler Permission to Seek Trade, per Report

The 27-year-old has scored 38 total touchdowns over the last two seasons.

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler has been granted permission to seek a trade away from the organization, according to a report from ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Los Angeles and its veteran running back were reportedly unable to come to an agreement over a new contract, prompting Ekeler's agent, Cameron Weiss, to request permission to seek a trade.

The 27-year-old is entering the final year of his contract, a four-year, $24.5 million deal he inked back in 2020. In ’23, Ekeler is slated to earn $6.25 million in base salary while carrying a $7.75 million cap hit.

Considering his production in 2022, it's not hard to see why the six-year veteran is hoping for a pay raise. 

Chargers granted permission to RB Austin Ekeler today to seek a trade after the two sides failed to make progress for a new contract, per his agent Cameron Weiss.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2023

Last season, Ekeler played a critical role for the Chargers' offense, especially amid injuries to Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. The versatile running back recorded 204 carries for 915 yards and 13 touchdowns while also catching 107 passes for 722 yards and five TDs.

Per Spotrac, Ekeler's $6.25 million base salary would rank 11th among running backs for the 2023 NFL season, on par with Cardinals' James Conner. 

The former undrafted free agent has spent his entire six-year career with the Chargers, but following his request to seek a trade, his tenure in Los Angeles could soon be coming to an end. 

Across 89 games in a Chargers uniform, Ekeler has scored 63 total touchdowns, including 38 in the last two seasons alone.