Chargers' Anchor Pinpoints Biggest Downside of Austin Ekeler Returning to LA in 2023

They do indeed lose some control over him.

Austin Ekeler embarked on quite the journey in this most recent offseason before finally agreeing to some sort of terms with the Los Angeles Chargers. Numerous interviews conducted by him revealed that he was looking to represent running backs as a whole in the NFL and their value.

LA obviously is going to go all-in with Justin Herbert when his extension time comes and have not been scared to commit money to J.C. Jackson and Khalil Mack. Ekeler was coming off his best two-season stretch of his career and was looking for the Bolts to make him one of the highest-paid RB's in the league.

The good news is that he will be back at least for the 2023 season and has the chance to make an extra $2 million. However, Chargers' expert Lee Hacksaw Hamilton believes that LA is making a mistake by agreeing to these terms for one big reason.

Make sure you’re Maximizing your Grocery Bag carrying capabilities at the gym💪🏽#brotherchallenge #groceryhaul #onetrip pic.twitter.com/FEMWDQEcrd

— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) April 19, 2023

"To get him to come to camp and to play this coming season, they paid a price," said Hamilton. "Aside from dollars, the Chargers will not be able to franchise tag him at the end of the season. He becomes a walk free agent on February first. Why do the Chargers do business the way they do?"

(Via Lee Hacksaw Hamilton)

Ekeler was always going to be a player to keep an eye on this season especially if he returned to LA. He is going try to perform better than ever not only to receive his incentives but also to prove to the league that he deserves an extension.

I believe that LA made it pretty clear that they were not going to be the franchise to break the bank for him and I'm not sure if that will change even next offseason.