Chargers Head Coach Says LA Does Not Take Austin Ekeler For Granted

LA loves seeing him back on the field!

It is a special, special week everyone. We had already been spoiled when the Los Angeles Chargers held rookie camp about a month ago and then optional OTA's started taking place where we had the pleasure of seeing some new faces and veterans suit up together. 

Guys like Ja'Sir Taylor and Joey Bosa were giving fans plenty to be excited about heading into the summer and don't even get me started on the bombs Justin Herbert was throwing to Quentin Johnston and the rest of his WR group.

As the Chargers social media team said themselves: It was just the combo we ordered!

that combo u ordered pic.twitter.com/EFWz8A7Jmo

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 15, 2023

Ekeler Is Back In Business

Despite the Bolts being able to draft some excellent prospects and retain some of their best performers this offseason, the vibes were not always amazing. Some tensions had been brewing between Austin Ekeler and the Chargers' front office ever since last year when they could not come to an agreement on his contract extension.

The conversations resumed once the 2022 season came to an end and Ekeler made it clear that after he posted two of the best campaigns of his career in back to back years, he wanted to get compensated for it. However, LA's cap space was already tied up and they needed to save so they could extend Herbert.

It's safe to say Ekeler was not going to take no for an answer right away.

#Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler speaks in detail on his frustrations with his current contract and trade request on the @greenlightpod with Chris Long:

“I feel like there’s no timeline on this. I’m so underpaid right now as far as my contract and what I contribute to the team, I am… pic.twitter.com/QP6agGsUrw

— Tanner Phifer (@TannerPhifer) March 21, 2023

The Bolts allowed him to look for a potential trade partner but due to the RB market already lower than usual, there were no serious suitors. Ekeler eventually agreed to return to LA with $2 million worth of incentives to look forward to and it seems that all disagreements were put to rest.

Now that the Chargers have started their mandatory minicamp, Ekeler did report to their practice facility with the rest of the squad and head coach Brandon Staley assured that he loves having him back and that the franchise does not take him for granted.

#Chargers HC Brandon Staley on the return of Austin Ekeler to the field:

"So consistent...he comes out here and lights it up...we all know who Austin Ekeler is, but you never take it for granted."

— Dan W. (@DanWSports) June 13, 2023

"#Chargers HC Brandon Staley on the return of Austin Ekeler to the field: "So consistent...he comes out here and lights it up...we all know who Austin Ekeler is, but you never take it for granted."

Let's see how he performs in the rest of min camp!