Chargers News: Austin Ekeler Open to Returning to Team For Jim Harbaugh

Austin Ekeler is open to return to the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers have some tough decisions to make this offseason when it comes to their pending free agents. One of those pending free agents is running back Austin Ekeler. 

Ekeler began the 2023 season with a holdout, as he was seeking a bigger contract from the team. That did not come to fruition, and he finished his would-be contract year with a far less productive run. 

It could be that the coaching was not where it needed to be, or the slew of injuries left the run game stagnant. Either way, Ekeler may not fetch a huge contract by staying, but he is still open to rejoining the Chargers. 

While speaking to Matthew Berry and Connor Rogers, Ekeler spoke on free agency, and his potential to rejoin the team under Jim Harbaugh.

”I could bring back some extra valuable lessons and even helping that team work through with Jim now coming in. If it was with the Chargers. I’m not shutting any doors. I would be open to absolutely coming back.”

via 

Austin Ekeler, NBC Sports

Ekeler has spoken about wanting to protect himself in free agency, and his words before indicated that he knew his time with the team was coming to a close after the season ended. 

However, with the arrival of Jim Harbaugh, it could be that Ekeler is changing his tune a bit. It's easy to get frustrated with a losing season, so his comments before could have been borne out of that frustration. 

Anyone in the football world knows how valuable Harbaugh is, and the excitement of his new reign with the Chargers could convince many pending free agents to stick around for at least one more season. 

It will just be up to the Chargers and Ekeler to come to an agreement, though we doubt he would land a big multi-year deal in the same manner he was seeking before the 2023 season began.