Three hundred. Yep. OK, OK. I'm out then.
And Austin Ekeler left Los Angeles and made his free-agent way to play for the Washington Commanders, who enter the 2024 season with high hopes under a new head coach and high-potential rookie quarterback. His reason for leaving the Chargers hinted at what his role with the Commanders would be like.
Ekeler told Rich Eisen of the NFL Network he wasn't a fit with the Chargers under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“So we're going in the offseason and you know there was that clip that was going around of me talking about the Chargers wanting to, you know, hand the ball off to a running back 300 times a year and it was true,” Ekeler said. “If you look at my stats, if you go back, I have never had the ball handed off to me 300 times a year.”
Ekeler hit the 200 mark twice in his career, but barely both times (2021, 2022).
“That's just not the type of player I am, that they're looking for in their scheme,” Ekeler said. “And so it's like all right let's go find a new dance partner.”
What role will RB Austin Ekeler fill with the Commanders?
The speculation began that Ekeler might not have enough left in the tank to be the centerpiece of an NFL offense. Truth: Twenty-nine-year-old running backs are NFL old. Truth: Ekeler can still play a vital role in an up-and-coming offense. And less usage will likely make him more effective.
“It doesn't mean I don't want the ball,” Ekeler said. “It means I know I'm going to be one of those backs who catch and run the ball. That's when I've had the most success. It's usually when we've had some kind of tandem, where we have someone who can relieve me.”
And Ekeler said that will help him stay stronger throughout the season.
“I appreciate it because my body feels a lot better after games,” he said. “It helps me get through the entire season. It seems like a match made in heaven. I'm going back to my roots and building a new culture in Washington.”
The 5-foot-10, 200-pound Ekeler has been a beast throughout his career racking up 69 touchdowns over seven seasons. Accentuating his assessment of the importance of his involvement in the passing game, Ekeler has twice totaled eight receiving touchdowns in his career. He also has reception seasons of 127, 108 and 94.
Ekeler's dance partner in Washington
While Ekeler is currently listed as the starter for the Commanders, it's really a one-two, one-two. Brian Robinson Jr. is a nice complement to Ekeler's style. While Ekeler has averaged 4.4 yards per carry over his NFL career, Robinson's first two seasons produced a 4.0 mark.
With the Chargers, Ekeler didn't hit a ton of home runs. His longest carry of each season resided in the 25-40 range. So getting to the 4.4 mark meant he racked up more eight- and nine-yard runs.
On the other side of the equation, Robinson Jr.'s consistency tended to keep him around his average. A 2-yard gain followed by five yards. A 1-yard pop followed by six yards, and so forth. Robinson is a physical bruiser who picks up the tough, hard yards.
Ekeler told si.com he thinks it's a nice fit between the two players.
“I think that comes down to kind of the situation in the running back room, like they have B-Rob (Robinson) over here, but hey if we could bring in another back to kind of be that tandem and continue to add some leadership to the team,” Ekeler said. “That's why I thought it was another good fit for myself too, to come into a new team with new coaches and kind of a younger running back room.”
Another factor the duo brings is important weaponry for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. With Robinson Jr. involved for short-yardage situations, Daniels can use play action effectively. And when the distance situation requires more yards, especially those third-down-and-long spots, Ekeler is a superb changeup. He has lightning-quick feet for delays and draws.
And his receiving skills are off the charts. Ekeler totaled over 70 catches three times in his career, including a massive haul of 107 receptions in 2022.
Put these guys together and a stagnant Commanders' offense has the look of intimidation. They can keep defenses guessing. Any offense that can threaten the defense with explosiveness and elusiveness is a big-time problem for NFL defenses.
The X factor for the duo is how new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury will utilize them. His offense burst into the forefront in his first couple of seasons as head coach in Arizona before tailing off. The Cardinals fell to 21st in points and 22nd in yards in his fourth campaign — although an injury to quarterback Kyler Murray played a role in those numbers.
Follow Us
Subscribe
