It seemed a forgone conclusion that Austin Ekeler would not be back with the Los Angeles Chargers following the 2023 season and strangely, many fans don't seem to feel too bad about that.
Ekeler did not have his best year in 2023 while dealing with injuries and even those in fantasy football circles, where Ekeler had been a beloved figure, were calling him "washed". Things change quickly in the NFL.
The question became where would Ekeler play in 2024. He was connected with AFC West rivals Kansas City and Las Vegas during the offseason but no one really talked about him playing for the team he ended up signing with, the Washington Commanders.
Ekeler agreed to a two-year, $11.4 million deal with Washington shortly into free agency. But why would he go there, a place where the team has been down for quite some time?
Former Chargers head coach was a huge reason Austin Ekeler joined the Commanders
Washington hasn't been a contender for years and the team is going through a transition period with a new head coach and a rookie quarterback. The depth chart at running back isn't deep but who was the last productive Commanders running back that you can recall?
It seemed a strange place for Ekeler to sign until you look at their coaching staff and see that former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn is there as the running backs coach. Appearing on the "Up and Adams Show" this week, Ekeler talked about that.
.@AustinEkeler reuniting with former coach Anthony Lynn should have defenses very worried 😤 #RaiseHail@heykayadams #HTTC pic.twitter.com/fiiOwPHdw5
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 7, 2024
Position coach hirings usually fly under the radar, so that being a factor in Ekeler's decision likely wasn't considered by most, but it makes perfect sense.
Lynn was the Chargers' head coach when Ekeler came into the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017. He was given almost no chance to make it in the NFL and was the sixth running back on the depth chart when training camp opened. Ekeler wasn't invited to the scouting combine and had to go to Colorado University's pro day to even get looked at there.
His story has become an inspirational one, but also one that may have never even gotten off the ground if not for the belief that Lynn had in him. Lynn, a former running back himself, saw something in Ekeler that almost no one else did. He gave him that opportunity and now, Ekeler wants to go work with him again.
The Chargers have totally revamped their running back room and it should flourish with Jim Harbaugh now in charge. However, I believe Ekeler quickly proves any doubters he has out there wrong while in his new digs, just like he once did in Los Angeles.
