Chargers Lose Free Agent Austin Ekeler to NFC Squad

Ekeler headed to a new team.

Los Angeles Chargers free agent running back Austin Ekeler is planning on signing a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. The deal is worth up to $11.43 million. 

Veteran RB Austin Ekeler is signing with the #Commanders on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, per sources.

After seven seasons — and 69 TDs! — with the #Chargers, Ekeler has a new home on a deal negotiated by agents Justin Ross and Greg Brookey of @DynamicSportGrp. pic.twitter.com/3oh6wOvEpZ

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 11, 2024

The signing comes on what has been a huge day for the free agent running back market, with Gus Edwards, Tony Pollard, Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs and Antonio Gibson all joining new teams.

Ekeler had spent his entire career with the Chargers until this point, since he went undrafted out of Western Colorado in 2017. Ekeler was a key dual-threat back for the Chargers throughout his career, helping the Chargers offense in both the run and pass game.

Ekeler has recorded at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage in four out of his last five NFL seasons. His best performances came in 2021-2022, when Ekeler went for over 900 rushing yards, 640 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. In 2022, Ekeler even recorded over 100 receptions, with 107 on the season.

Now, Ekeler joins a Commanders team that just lost Antonio Gibson to the New England Patriots earlier today. Ekeler has ties with Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, who was Ekeler's head coach during his first four seasons in the NFL.

The move comes hours after the Chargers brought in former Baltimore Ravens running back Gus Edwards on a two-year deal, who played under new Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman with the Ravens.

Things had become tense between Ekeler and the Chargers last offseason, when Ekeler requested a trade because the team would not sign him to a long-term deal. Instead, the Chargers added up to $1.75 million in incentives to his deal at the time. Though Ekeler had expressed interest in staying with the Chargers under their new regime this offseason, he will instead head for the Commanders, where he was able to get a multi-year deal.