Austin Ekeler has left the Los Angeles Chargers after seven years. The running back now explains the background to his departure

Austin Ekeler knew pretty quickly that it was time to go. One conversation with the Los Angeles Chargers’ management was enough for him to look around for alternatives.

A change in philosophy, according to Ekeler, was the main reason why he left Los Angeles after seven years and signed with the Washington Commanders for two seasons. The Chargers wanted to go in a different direction.

“The Chargers came to me and told me what they were looking for at the running back position, and that wasn’t what I could offer as a player,” Ekeler said on the “God Bless Football” podcast.

According to him, six teams had interest in him at the beginning of free agency. In his seven seasons in LA, he totaled 4,355 yards and 39 touchdowns on the ground and caught balls in the air for 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns.

2023, however, he played one of the worst seasons of his career. He averaged just 3.5 yards per run, had several drops and scored just five rushing touchdowns.

Ekeler with the Commanders: It’s going to be a change

Why the Commanders now?

“I was looking for a team that has a solid back that I can complement really well, and we can support each other in terms of our production,” Ekeler said, alluding to Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr.

“We’re very different,” Ekeler emphasized, “It’s almost like putting your money on me and Melvin Gordon. I’m looking forward to seeing how that dynamic will play out.”

He knows it will be an adjustment, but he is looking forward to trying something new in his life, Ekeler emphasized. Especially because the Commanders will likely be rebuilding at the quarterback position with the number two pick in the draft. There is also a new head coach in Dan Quinn and a new GM in Adam Peters.

“It’s a new opportunity to be back on the field. New organization, new coaches, new culture. I’m going to try to embrace it and take it for what it is. It’s a new challenge for me and I’ll see if I can achieve as much as I did before,” Ekeler said.