Running back Austin Ekeler is planning to sign with the Washington Commanders on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, a league source confirmed Monday.
Ekeler, 28, has spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Prior to the 2023 season, he requested a trade from the franchise but ultimately stayed after incentives were added to his contract.
He finished last season with 1,064 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns from scrimmage. That was the third-straight and fourth overall season he tallied at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage finishing with 628 rushing yards and 436 receiving yards.
He’s been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL during the last four seasons, scoring 47 offensive touchdowns during that stretch — the second most of any running back.
Mueller’s scouting report on Ekeler
Ekeler’s 21 first downs via reception led the group of backs in 2023. He is slippery after the catch and runs bigger than his size, forcing arm tacklers to miss like a larger back. He has really good natural vision to find daylight and a nose for the goal line. He has plenty of gas left in his tank from a speed and acceleration standpoint, but he’s at his best when supplemented with an early-down back. — Randy Mueller, NFL staff writer
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(Photo: Michael Hickey / Getty Images)
