Austin Ekeler had valid reason for leaving Los Angeles Chargers

Travis Wakeman

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Austin Ekeler had valid reason for leaving Los Angeles Chargers image

Austin Ekeler is preparing for his first season as a running back for the Washington Commanders but he is still being talked about in connection with the Los Angeles Chargers this offseason. 

Recently, Austin Ekeler made an appearance on the Up and Adams show and was asked about why he chose to leave the Chargers in free agency. His answer has been talked about quite a bit sense with many in the media shaking their heads at what he had to say. 

 

Ekeler commented the Chargers wanting a guy who can carry the ball 300 times per game. While that number may be a bit exaggerated, it seems to me that Ekeler knew his time with the team was up. And while the 2024 Chargers likely won't have a running back carry the ball that many times this season, there is little doubt that Jim Harbaugh wants a downhill running team. 

Austin Ekeler does not fit Jim Harbaugh's offense 

So maybe what Ekeler had to say to Kay Adams doesn't need to be taken so literally. He knows how the team will be built now and he knows it's not conducive to what he excels at. But perhaps even more than that, he probably had his sights set on leaving the team all of last season after looking for more money and then requesting a trade when he didn't get it. 

The team later agreed to a revised contract, but Ekeler had a poor season that was marred by injuries. 

Ekeler signed with the Washington Commanders this offseason and that is a move that makes sense. Ekeler is not a bellcow running back, he never was. He is a guy who is going to be at his best when used as a receiver out of the backfield, as a check-down option for the quarterback.

He should be perfect for a young quarterback such as Jayden Daniels. The Chargers were not going to be that team anymore. They are going to play smashmouth football up front, which is why they brought in Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins from one of the best rushing offenses in the league, Baltimore. 

That isn't Ekeler's game and it wasn't ever going to be. 

Travis Wakeman

Travis Wakeman Photo

Travis Wakeman has been covering the NFL since 2012 when he started with Bleacher Report. After reporting about the Broncos there until 2016, he joined the FanSided network as a site expert covering the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers while simultaneously covering the Broncos at Broncos Wire when that site launched. He then took over the Broncos site at FanSided in March 2020 and covered the team there until spring of 2024. A lifelong Broncos fan and fan of the game, Travis is filled with sometimes useless NFL knowledge, but it always serves him well in any trivia contest. You can follow him on Twitter/X @traviswakeman10.