Chargers Rumors: Team Insider Predicts LA May Deal Superstar by Trade Deadline

Possibly his final run with the Bolts.

Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler emerged as a superstar after going undrafted all the way back in 2017. 

Six seasons later, the former Western State product hasn't started off his 2023 campaign well with both injury and ineffective play hampering the end zone magnet. 

The NFL's leader in touchdowns from the previous two seasons may become expendable thanks to LA's poor record and a playoff push could be had elsewhere given current circumstances. 

"Ekeler may have been on another team right now if he and the Chargers had not agreed on a revised contract before the start of the season. But it’s unlikely he will be a part of the team next season, so why not jump start the process and get some draft capital in return?

"Ekeler has not been as effective since his monstrous game against the Dolphins in Week 1 ... a current Super Bowl-contending team could see Ekeler’s do-it-all skill set to get them to make a strong push in the second half of the season and into the playoffs. "

via Gavino Borquez, Chargers Wire

Ekeler already went into the 2023 offseason unhappy with his contract situation but his earlier trade requested went unfulfilled after a stall in the running back market league wide. 

Though Jonathan Taylor earned his own extension after a lengthy holdout with the Colts, Ekeler's age makes this increasingly unlikely by the day. 

Should LA choose to pull the plug on their 2023 campaign, Ekeler could fetch some significant draft compensation before hitting the open market next spring.

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