Chargers News: Latest On Free Agent Austin Ekeler's Status With LA

Don't count out Ekeler to L.A. just yet.

NFL free agency is only a couple of weeks away, and the premier free agent for the Chargers is their seven-year running back, Austin Ekeler. 

Ekeler will enter free agency for the first time in his career and be a hot commodity in the open market. Although he's coming off possibly the worst year of his career, injuries may have played a huge factor. 

The Bolts front office decided not to franchise tag Ekeler, but that doesn't mean they don't want any part of the 28-year-old. 

Los Angeles general manager Joe Hortiz appeared on Good Morning Football on Tuesday. NFL Network's Peter Schrager brought up the possibility of the Bolts pursuing Ekeler, and here's what Hortiz had to say. 

“Yeah, definitely. I mean, we’re still working through all that right now. You know, we're out here at the combine getting a chance to speak to a lot of our guys, agents. We're still evaluating the roster...

Certainly, when you talk about Austin, you talk about a guy that made it the hard way. Came out undrafted, earned his way onto the Chargers, put together a multiple great years, versatile back. So definitely a guy that Los Angeles has been proud to have on their team. Certainly he’s going to be a commodity in free agency.”

—Joe Hortiz, via Good Morning Football

An inside look at the All-Star offensive staff that the @chargers are building from General Manager Joe Hortiz

(+ the status on Austin Ekeler's possible future with the team)#BoltUp pic.twitter.com/feTNuw6WQb

— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) February 27, 2024

Ekeler's time in Los Angeles, outside of 2023, has been one to remember. In his seven-year career, Ekeler has racked up 4355 rush yards in 990 attempts, 39 touchdowns, 4.4 yards per carry, and, more importantly, many fantasy football points to many happy managers. 

However, if we're being honest, injuries have somewhat hindered Ekeler's career, which was ultimately true in 2023. The 29-year-old missed three games after suffering a right ankle sprain in Week 1. He returned in Week 6 of last year, and since then, he was a shell of himself. 

It's uncertain what his market will look like. However, if he becomes an affordable option for Los Angeles, don't be surprised if he's back in powder blue next season. 

Hortiz is undoubtedly a fan of him and his game.