Chargers respect RB Austin Ekeler amid trade ask, coach says

PHOENIX — Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley expressed respect and patience for running back Austin Ekeler, despite Ekeler's request to explore trade options as he enters the final season of his contract.

«The respect for Austin I think from our side of things is at the highest they could be for a player,» Staley said Monday at the NFL's annual owners meetings. «The position that he's in we're certainly respectful of and I think there's been communication with his team and so we're understanding of that position.»

Staley also said contract discussions have begun with quarterback Justin Herbert, who became eligible to sign an extension after last season.

«Those talks are ongoing,» Staley said. «We're at the beginning of all that, but we all know how we feel about him and I think navigating this process, we have a very good relationship with his team.»

Ekeler, who had an NFL-best 18 touchdowns running and receiving in 2022, is scheduled to earn $6.25 million in the fourth and final season of a $24.5 million extension.

Earlier this month, Ekeler told Chris Long on the «Greenlight» podcast that he is "so underpaid right now" and expressed a desire to sign a long-term extension, whether with the Chargers or another team.

«I'm getting half of my value of what I could be getting,» Ekeler said. «So it's like, I'm relentlessly pursuing someone who wants me for the long term.»

Ekeler, who turns 28 in May, emphasized that he has no ill will toward the Chargers and would like to remain with the organization, which signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado in 2017. But he said he hopes it will be under the correct circumstances.

Staley said Monday that the organization would like Ekeler to stay with the