Chargers News: Austin Ekeler Expected to Start 2023 in LA, Trade Unsuccessful

A trade looks even more unlikely now!

Austin Ekeler went against the normal offseason approach for majority of NFL players and decided to try and take a stance. Numerous positions such as quarterbacks and tight ends were getting large deals/extensions but the love for running backs was nowhere near the same and he wanted to change that.

Ekeler did provide quite the case to receive a new deal that would place him among the highest-paid RB's in the league. He led all players at his position in receptions, had back to back seasons with over 900 yards, and my fantasy football players know just how valuable he is there.

However, it's become very clear that NFL franchises do not view RB's on the same tier as those other positions and the market plummeted for them. LA allowed Ekeler to seek a trade partner but GM Tom Telesco revealed that they never got any serious offers for him.

Austin Ekeler breaking loose 🔥

His THIRD TD of the day

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/N1BcPjre9i

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 2, 2022

The 27-year-old has made it clear that he'll still suit up for the Chargers if no trade goes through but he views it as the 'worst-case' scenario.

Well, it looks like that scenario is going to happen as LA's HC Brandon Staley shared that he fully expects his star RB to re-join the team for OTA's in June.

This was first reported by Jeff Miller.

#Chargers RB Austin Ekeler wasn’t present for Day 1 of OTAs, which is his standard approach. HC Brandon Staley said he anticipates Ekeler being here for the mandatory portion next month.

— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) May 22, 2023

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#Chargers

RB Austin Ekeler wasn’t present for Day 1 of OTAs, which is his standard approach. HC Brandon Staley said he anticipates Ekeler being here for the mandatory portion next month."

(Via Jeff Miller)

Wouldn’t expect Austin Ekeler to get traded, as the team has said. So this makes sense. https://t.co/nR5h4g9f1e

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 22, 2023

I've always wondered that if Ekeler were to end up staying the Bolts this season, how would the chemistry have changed with the rest of the guys knowing that he initially wanted out.

We'll get a first look at this very soon.