Justin Herbert is reportedly in contract talks with the Los Angeles Chargers over a mammoth extension, but the news has made running-back Austin Ekeler feel even more "disrespected".
Ekeler's rise with the Chargers has been exceptional, especially since he was picked up as an undrafted free agent in 2017. The running-back was rewarded with a four-year £20million ($24.5m) extension in 2020, although his deal has not been revisited since.
The 27-year-old is set to become a free agent at the end of the 2023 season, and following concerns over his long-term future Ekeler requested a trade earlier this offseason. Ekeler is confused why he hasn't been offered a new deal with the organisation he loves, and feels as though he's been "punched in the face" by the team.
Herbert may he the face of the franchise and their star for the future, but Ekeler is without doubt their second-best offensive asset. With every season Ekeler has improved, scoring 18 total touchdowns in the last campaign after a career-high 20 the year before.
As a running-back, Ekeler has it all. But his versatility is what makes him such an asset as he has become a receiving weapon for Herbert too. Every NFL would assume that the Chargers would be doing all they can to re-sign Ekeler, but the running-back has been left in the dark by the franchise.
After requesting a trade in a bid to resolve his future, Ekeler appeared on SiriusXM’s Fantasy Sports Radio to discuss his position, and didn't hold back on expressing his feelings. "I kind of got punched in the face when the Chargers basically said we don’t want to talk about extensions anymore," Ekeler said.
"This is an organisation I continue to rise and hit new heights in. That’s how it felt. It felt like, wow. This was the first time in my career with them I felt disrespected by my own organisation. I want to be a Charger.
"I want to be there and it sucks because it’s like, let’s get something done. Yes, I do have one more year on my contract, absolutely, but for them to want to allow me to be a free agent next year, maybe we’ll get something done throughout the year, who knows how it’s going to play out, but that’s how I’m feeling right now."
Compared to the contracts being offered out to wide receivers this offseason, deals for running-backs have been fairly modest, and the Chargers are seemingly unwilling to part ways with large amounts of cash. Ekeler is set to receive just £5m ($6.25m) in 2023, but without considerable interest elsewhere it looks like other teams aren't keen on a big deal either.
