COSTA MESA, Calif. — Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler is requesting permission to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension failed to progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Ekeler, 27, is entering the final season of a four-year, $24.5 million contract and is scheduled to earn $6.25 million. Last season, Ekeler played a pivotal role in the Chargers earning their first playoff berth in four seasons before they were eliminated in a 31-30 wild-card playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Ekeler led the NFL with 18 touchdowns while rushing for 915 yards on 204 carries and catching 107 passes for 722 yards. An often-used target out of the backfield, Ekeler also led the NFL with 822 yards after the catch.
The Chargers entered the offseason $20.5 million over the 2023 salary cap, but cleared $40.37 million in space to become salary-cap compliant by restructuring the contracts of receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and edge rusher Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack.