Former Los Angeles Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler will sign a two-year contract with the Washington Commanders worth up to $11 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Monday.
Ahead of the 2023 season, Ekeler requested a trade after he was unable to agree to a long-term extension with the Chargers in the final year of the four-year, $24.1 million contract he signed in 2020. Ultimately, Ekeler returned on a revised contract with additional incentives.
Ekeler, 28, had one of the worst years of his career in 2023. He averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, struggled with drops, and had just five rushing touchdowns, though he scored 25 touchdowns combined in his previous two seasons.
The Chargers signed Ekeler as an undrafted free agent in 2017, and as he emerged as one of the top backs in the league, the Chargers drafted 2015 first-round draft pick Melvin Gordon in 2019. I no longer feel comfortable releasing him as a free agent. Since then, Ekeler has established himself as one of the league's best pass-catching running backs.
In his first season as a starter, Ekeler gained 1,550 yards from scrimmage and set the record for the most touchdowns (44) by a running back in the NFL since 2021. While Ekeler has been an effective rusher, he made the biggest impact as a receiver for the Chargers, setting the then-current single-season franchise record for receptions in 2022.
Ekeler has rushed for 4,355 yards and 39 touchdowns in his career and has 440 receptions for 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns.
ESPN's Chris Lim contributed to this report.
