Austin Ekeler reveals exact reason for leaving Chargers for Commanders

Running back Austin Ekeler faced tumultuous times with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. His contract negotiations faltered, leading the resilient to run back to seek a trade. The veteran ultimately found a new home with the Washington Commanders.

Ekeler’s departure echoed a broader shift within the Chargers, as key players like Mike Williams and Keenan Allen also bid farewell. The team’s pivot under new coach Jim Harbaugh prioritized roster balance over hefty contracts. Ekeler has recently revealed the exact reason for leaving Chargers for Commanders.

Austin Ekeler discusses Chargers exit

Austin Ekeler’s departure from the Chargers after seven seasons has stirred discussion among football fans. During a recent interview on the “God Bless Football” podcast, he shed light on his decision to part ways with the team and his subsequent signing with the Commanders. The veteran said a shift in the Chargers’ philosophy regarding the running back position prompted his exit.

“The Chargers came to me and kind of told me what they were looking at in a running back position, and it wasn’t what I can offer as a player. So there was a misalignment”, he said via CBS Sports.

Ekeler’s decision was rooted in a desire to find a team where he could fully contribute without doubts about his role. He expressed gratitude for his time with the Chargers while acknowledging the need to move on to a new chapter in his career.

“So it’s like, yeah, they’re interested, but, are you really? Is it like a, if all else fails, we’ll bring Austin back in type of thing, because I don’t want to be in that scenario, and if that’s your philosophy of what you’re telling me and I don’t fit that, I’ve got to go look somewhere else. Which is totally fine, no hard feelings. You want to go a different direction.”

Ekeler made a significant impact on the field for the Chargers team. Against all expectations, he managed to secure a place on the roster as an undrafted rookie and gradually emerged as a crucial player for the team. The impact he made on the field was unquestionable, with impressive statistics to back it up. He recorded almost 1,000 receiving yards in the 2019 season and scored a total of 38 touchdowns across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Injuries haunted Ekeler throughout the 2023 season but he remained a dynamic playmaker by consistently contributing to his team’s success.

Ekeler gets joined by former Chargers teammate

The Commanders made another move in free agency, bolstering their defense by signing cornerback Michael Davis to a one-year contract. Davis, a former teammate of Austin Ekeler with the Chargers, brings experience and versatility to the Commanders’ secondary.

The chance to start and coach young cornerbacks was a motivating factor for Davis to join the Commanders.

“I felt like this was the best place for me to be at, the best place for me to come here and improve myself. I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity,” he said.

Davis is not familiar with the Commanders new head coach, Dann Quinn’s, coaching style. However, he is confident in his ability to adapt and thrive in Washington’s defensive scheme.

The cornerback is entering his eighth NFL season, and boasts an impressive career stat line, tallying 349 tackles, 69 passes defended, and eight interceptions. Standing at 6-foot-2, his size and athleticism provide the team with a valuable asset in their cornerback rotation. He joins a revamped cornerback group that includes Emmanuel Forbes, Benjamin St-Juste, and Noah Igbinoghene.