Chargers News: Pending LA Free Agent 'Flabbergasted' After Team Allows Ekeler To Explore Trade

Chase Daniels is not happy his teammate his being allowed to see if the grass is greener elsewhere.

Cap space unfortunately always gets to the best of every teams and the Los Angeles Chargers have been feeling the pressures of it this offseason. Being over the cap by $20 million not too long ago, they had to go through multiple contract restructures just to give themselves a chance to improve their roster. I think they did a pretty good job of it and gave themselves a fighting chance to retain talent and also explore the market.

We've already seen a slew of moves made, most notably bringing in former All-Pro Eric Kendricks after he was released by the Minnesota Vikings. Unfortunately, they've also had to prepare themselves for some tough departures and one of those likely involves their offensive gem Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler has had a great tenure with LA so far and he ran 915 yards last season and recorded 13 touchdowns. However, their front office prefers to use that money elsewhere and believe his RB position could be filled by a younger player they'll acquire in the 2023 draft.

that's six@AustinEkeler | @snfonnbc pic.twitter.com/MRQBLmNoSq

— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 15, 2023

However, one of his teammates is not too happy with LA's lack of effort to extend Ekeler. Chase Daniel, who hits free agency today, spent the last two seasons with the Chargers as a backup quarterback and has found a potential career path after retirement as an analyst. Being 36-years-old, he has played enough football to be able to discuss with anybody and everybody.

Daniel has done just that as he appears on multiple segments of the NFL Network when he isn't working out and recently had a lot to say regarding the Chargers' decision to let Ekeler speak to other teams.

.@ChaseDaniel on the Chargers letting @AustinEkeler explore a trade:

"I'm flabbergasted" 👀 pic.twitter.com/sWXdr5IH57

— NFL Total Access (@NFLTotalAccess) March 15, 2023

"I'm flabbergasted right now to be completely honest with you," said Daniel. "And not only because of Austin Ekeler's production on the field...but let's talk about what he brings to the locker room because that's where I was with him. Other than Derwin James and Justin Herbert, he is the vocal leader of the Chargers. It doesn't make sense to me."

Sometimes when a franchise is trying to build a championship team, sacrifices must be made and it looks like that is the case here as they try to offload players and save money.