Chargers News: Austin Ekeler Understands Why Teams Didn't Pull The Trigger on a Trade

The longtime Charger is back in LA in 2023.

Dec 13, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) breaks free from Atlanta Falcons defensive end Allen Bailey (93) during a first quarter running play at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports

The contract standoff between the Los Angeles Chargers and starting running back Austin Ekeler was quite the story this offseason.

Ekeler, 28, is set to enter the final year of his four-year, $24.5 million contract in 2023, but not before he requested a trade this offseason, before later making clear that he was willing to renegotiate his deal with the team's front office even during the season if it takes that long.

Ultimately, new incentives were put in the six-year veteran's deal and the two sides let bygones be bygones ahead of this season, absent a long term deal for the running back.

As far as the Chargers being unable to complete a trade involving Ekeler, the ball carrier told ESPN's Lindsey Thiry during the team's mandatory minicamp that he understands why other franchises might not have been so willing to take him on.

Chargers RB Austin Ekeler on exploring a trade but returning to L.A. with added incentives: "I understood the situation it would put someone in though giving up draft picks and having a renegotiated contract is a pretty big ask.”

— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) June 14, 2023

Ekeler acknowledged how tough his situation was for other teams given that prospective front offices would have to give up tangible assets for the running back, not necessarily with the assurance that he would sign a long term contract with them.

Essentially, teams wanting to negotiate with the Chargers regarding Ekeler wouldn't have much leverage in the trade talks, and they could be sitting ducks after acquiring him given his expiring contract.

If another team was unsuccessful in signing Ekeler to a new deal, they could have very likely wound up essentially trading draft picks for a one season rental. And given Ekeler's production in Los Angeles over the last couple of seasons, it's fair to say that those draft picks would've been in the higher range, potentially into second or third round territory.

It seems teams around the league came to a similar conclusion, so Austin Ekeler and the Chargers will enter 2023 with hopes of a great season on the horizon -- but with more questions surrounding their running back sure to come up again in a few months.