Chargers News: Star RB Austin Ekeler Believes LA Has a Shot With Justin Herbert Under Center

He has all the support from his guys!

As the regular season quickly approaches, many around the Charger organization have expressed some high expectations for the 2023 iteration of the team due to many factors. 

Among the reasons to be excited about the team is newly extended star quarterback Justin Herbert, set to thrive under a new offensive system according to one of his skill position superstar weapons. 

“You got to have a stud quarterback if you’re gonna have a chance,” Chargers RB Austin Ekeler told USA TODAY Sports. “They are rare when you get somebody like number 10."When you have someone like that, it makes it so much more fun to play the game because there is a lot of trust. It’s not as uneasy or like, 'Who is gonna be that person or who is gonna lead this team?' We got our guy, let’s build around that. When you’re building around something, I feel like it’s a lot more constructive. You have solutions, you’re putting more pieces around, and being a part of that is awesome.”

via Tyler Dragon, USA Today

Ekeler has been in the backfield alongside Herbert since 2020, and even with his experiences playing with former Bolts' signal caller Philip Rivers, the running back had no problem complimenting his new gunslinger to this degree. 

Since the pairing has been together, Ekeler has been both a safety valve and a dynamic complement to the passing game that has evolved with the former Duck calling the shots. 

A touchdown machine in the past two seasons, the formerly undrafted running back has become the end zone magnet of all end zone magnets to help take some pressure off Herbert. 

That's not to say there's no pressure at all in the pocket or with the team overall, as Herbert still hasn't had a playoff victory through his first three seasons. 

For reasons both in and out of his control, Ekeler knows that year four could be the breakthrough for Herbert and the offense overall.