The Chargers have identified the running back they’d like to keep for the long haul. Instead of Melvin Gordon, former UDFA Austin Ekeler now has a second Bolts contract.
Ekeler agreed to a four-year, $24.5MM deal on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This pact will include $15MM in guaranteed money. Ekeler was a restricted free agent but is now locked up through the 2023 season.
This represents a remarkable rise for Ekeler, who entered the league in 2017 undrafted out of Division II Western State (Colo.). While he backed up Gordon for most of his first two seasons, Ekeler thrived in a starting role and then alongside the former first-round pick in 2019.
He finished with 993 receiving yards — fifth-most ever in a season for a pure running back — and totaled 1,550 from scrimmage. Ekeler added 11 touchdowns and became the first Charger in 34 years to post a 100-100 game, which occurred against the Jaguars in December. His 10.3 receiving yards after catch ranked second in the NFL, per ESPN Stats & Info.
A report pointed Gordon toward free agency Thursday, and this Ekeler accord confirms it. After Gordon became extension-eligible in January 2018, the sides went two years without agreeing to terms. And Gordon’s 2019 holdout undoubtedly benefited his backup’s case for a payday. Ekeler agreed to his re-up — at a price south of what Gordon sought during his holdout — after being extension-eligible for barely two months. The Bolts and Ekeler began negotiating the extension in January, Schefter adds.
At 24, Ekeler is two years younger than Gordon and has logged 443 career touches — well behind Gordon’s 1,283. The Chargers should be able to rely on their passing-down back for a few more seasons, while Gordon will now have a chance to gauge his value on the open market.
Good for him! He probably didn’t expect this result 3 years ago when he went undrafted. Quite the payday, he will still be young enough for another contract once this is one up (health and performance permitting).
Agree, good for him. Never gonna be against a player getting paid. I just don’t think it’s smart rom the chargers standpoint…… but then again….. chargers aren’t usually smart
Terrible organization making more terrible moves. Ekeler is a FANTASTIC change of pace option and receiving threat out of the backfield…. he showed several times he can’t handle the heavy load in between the tackles. Little problem here….. you know that hall of fame QB who could identify mismatches, check in and out of different plays, and get the ball into ekelers hands in space in a mismatch against a linebacker? Yeah….. you guys just let him walk. If you think Tyrod Taylor or (insert rookie draft QB) is going to provide Ekeler with the same opportunity for production, with this horrendous offensive line, you are blind….. or stupid.
GFY!!!!
Tyrod Taylor is a good quarterback. I mean check downs and keeping the ball safe is what he’s known for. Same with Brady if we get that lucky
It seems like a good deal for the Chargers to me. A little more than $6 mill AAV, when these old broken down war horses want twice that. Another example of why not to spend 1st round picks or big free agent money RB.
Ehhh, idk about that..
I mean, if you’re a good playoff team, and you have the chance to get a game-changing RB at the end of the 1st Round, I say take him..
If UGAs D’Andre Swift somehow falls to the Chiefs, they would be foolish to not take him. Adding Swift to the Chiefs already loaded weapons at WR and TE would be just absurdly unstoppable…
Picture a more consistent, better Damien Williams as their starting RB, that can also successfully carry the load between the tackles…Idk about you, but I certainly wouldn’t pass up that chance..
Ekeler was clearly the better back for the Chargers last year, and Gordon has had some injury issues. Reasonable deal for the Chargers to lock Ekeler up without overcommitting. Happy for Ekeler as an UFA to get life changing money. Wish him well, except when he’s playing the Chiefs.
Yo Melvin. Hit the road!