Los Angeles Chargers announced over the weekend that they have signed running back to an extension, but not the one most people expected. While they are still locked in negotiations with Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon, Chargers went on and signed 2019 standout Austin Ekeler to a new deal.
According to reports, Ekeler inked a four-year contract that will pay him $24.5 million overall. The deal, which includes $15 million in guarantees, could have a total of $26 million in value if all incentives are met.
“It feels a little overwhelming, but it’s a relief,” said Ekeler after inking the deal. “We were going back and forth for a month. We were pretty far apart at first, but once we kept getting closer it started to become a real possibility.”
Austin Ekeler, who joined the Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017, had a breakthrough season last year. Ekeler surprisingly emerged as Chargers’ main back following Gordon’s decision to sit out the start of the season and ended 2019 with 557 rushing yards and three rushing TDs. His biggest contribution, however, came in the passing game. He caught 92 passes, which was second in the NFL among RBs, for 993 yards and eight touchdowns.
Ekeler, who began his career in NFL on special teams and worked his way up, has 1,371 career rushing yards and eight touchdowns to go with 158 receptions for 1,676 yards and 14 TDs.
