Austin Ekeler Skips Chargers OTAs; Rams Trade Call 'Makes Sense' - NFL Source

Austin Ekeler apparently still wants out of his contractual situation with the Los Angeles Chargers. And a source tells us of a "game of Chicken'' reason the Rams should make an exploratory trade call.

Austin Ekeler continues to do what he can to express his displeasure in his contractual situation with the Los Angeles Chargers, his latest move coming in the form of intentionally skipping the Monday start of the team's OTAs.

That move can be dismissed on a pair of fronts. One, the sessions are voluntary, and coach Brandon Staley said on Monday that he anticipates Ekeler to be present at the upcoming mandatory sessions. And two, Ekeler has in the past opted to miss parts of offseason work such as this.

Nevertheless, as the Chargers seem content to sit on his existing four-year, $24.5 million deal that takes him through 2024 even after having given the star running back permission to seek his own trade ... something eventually's got to give.

And that's why one NFL source will will characterize as being "close to the situation'' tells RamsDigest.com at SI that "the Rams ought to make that call. It makes sense to make that call.''

Chargers general manager Tom Telesco recently said via The Rich Eisen Show that “Nothing’s changed'' while also acknowledging that "his situation is unique.''

What does that mean? "Nothing's changed'' is about a lack of traction in trade conversations, and that can be easily explained: This is a game of Chicken, and nobody wants to take that first shuffle-step forward. ... especially in any way that would allow the Chargers to "win the trade.''

And what does the "unique situation'' entail? That's about the money. Ekeler, who is playing on a cheap deal (about $6 million this year), wants a new contract. Would a team pay him? A team would be less likely to want to do so if the Chargers are going to insist on getting first-round pick in exchange for a deal. 

The Rams don't have to want to "spend twice'' here (once on a draft-capital-rich trade and then again on the new contract). The Rams might also view themselves - privately, of course - as a non-contender. And why does a non-contender need to spend big on a 28-year-old running back?

Our source isn't endorsing the idea of GM Les Snead "spending,'' though. The endorsement is about "calling.'' ... about putting down some groundwork just in case the absence from voluntary workouts oozes over into absence from mandatory workouts. In that event, the Chargers have a problem. And the game of Chicken might actually be won by the franchise that at least found a way to whisper a "maybe'' to Austin Ekeler.

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