Los Angeles Chargers Find Common Ground With Austin Ekeler As He No Longer Looks To Move On

The chatter, and picture, on social media was too rich for Los Angeles Chargers fans: Current Chargers running back Austin Ekeler training with former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon in Las Vegas.

Ekeler, of course, was recently granted a fresh incentive-based contract for the final year of his four-year, $24.5 million deal. After leading the NFL with a combined 38 touchdowns the past two seasons, Ekeler demanded to be paid accordingly with a multi-year deal.

But the Chargers squawked, much like they did when Gordon wanted them to sweeten his compensation back in 2019.

L.A. told Ekeler he was free to seek a trade, but he was unable to find a willing partner.

The Chargers are hoping by being creative with Ekeler that his impasse wouldn’t mimic Gordon’s. Back in ‘19, a disgruntled Gordon held out of training camp and then he had trouble finding a groove upon his return.

Ekeler’s contract, according to various reports, was constructed so he can earn $1.75 million with another production season.

His incentives for total yards kicks in at 1,125 yards, with Ekeler eligible for a $1 million bonus if he reaches 1,639 yards.

For touchdowns, that clause engages at 10 scores and if he makes 16 end-zone trips, then Ekeler would earn $600,000.

If Ekeler is chosen as a Pro Bowler, that would bring in another $150,000.

Ekeler’s 2022 production, if repeated, would allow him to collect nearly the full $1.75 million. Last year, Ekeler gained 1,637 yards, notched 18 touchdowns and was selected to the AFC’s Pro Bowl squad.

The Chargers’ haggling with star running backs has quite a history, dating to Paul Lowe and including Natrone Means and LaDainian Tomlinson. Gordon is certainly on that list as he balked during the final year of his rookie contract.

L.A. countered with a multi-year offer that averaged $10 million per year, but Gordon stiff-armed it. He skipped training camp and missed the first four games of the ‘19 season.

When Gordon returned, not only was it the start of a mediocre and abbreviated season, but he had lost his job to an undrafted rookie in Ekeler. The Chargers would ultimately let Gordon walk after the season as they pivoted to Ekeler on a four-year deal.

Gordon, a former first-round pick, never got his big payday. He signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Denver Broncos, which was followed by a one-year, $1.25 million contract.

He was released in December last year after his fifth fumble of the season. He picked up another $120,000 when he was signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

Gordon enters this season as a free agent, which is likely the fate facing Ekeler next year.

But this year, the running-back thin Chargers didn’t wait until this situation had escalated into a protracted stalemate. For at least one more season, Ekeler is a Charger.