Ekeler reportedly gets incentives for LAC contract
Mike Florio and Chris Simms discuss the report that Austin Ekeler will play for the Chargers this season, after the RB had incentives added to his contract.
Video Transcript
MIKE FLORIO: Chargers running back Austin Ekeler got permission to seek a trade earlier in the offseason, and he found out that no one wanted to trade for him and give him the contract he wants. He reportedly is getting incentives added to his contract worth up to $2 million, close to $2 million in incentives. He'll be a free agent after the season.
No word on whether or not they've sacrificed their ability to use the franchise tag. That would get him eight figures for one more year. Bottom line, older running back, wear and tear, mileage, it's hard to get a team to make that big investment, and even when they do, they're just a couple of years away from thinking, do we tear up the contract, like the Vikings are currently thinking with Dalvin Cook.
CHRIS SIMMS: Right. Yeah. I mean, and I think he's at the point of his career where he doesn't have to worry about the franchise tag thing. I don't think that's going to happen no matter what, right? So it's good. I'm glad to see they did something and came to some sort of resolution.
I mean, Ekeler and the Chargers seem simpatico that way. I just, I don't know what he'd look like in another uniform. He's been such a big part of their culture and what they do on the field. And of course, that's a great role in catching the ball and being that dual threat running back. I mean, he's a hell of a football player.
But you and I both know, he's not a superstar, he's not one of the five best running backs in the game. He's smaller. He's been there for a while. And that's what lead-- been in the NFL for a while, so that's what leads to a lack of a market. And I wonder what the incentives are, right? That's the one thing I do question too.
I'd love to know that. I don't know if we will find that out because we know too like, hey, running the ball, sure, but he's really made his way catching the ball. That's where he gets a lot of his stats. And I wonder how much that'll change this year with the new offensive coordinator in Kellen Moore. I don't think it'll be as running back friendly in the pass game.
MIKE FLORIO: That's what got Joe Lombardi fired.
CHRIS SIMMS: Exactly.
MIKE FLORIO: Throwing the ball to Austin Ekeler too much and not getting it down the field.
CHRIS SIMMS: Right.