Austin Ekeler shares why he decided to leave the Los Angeles Chargers for the Washington Commanders.
The Washington Commanders have been hard at work remaking their organization this offseason. Ownership and the front office is entirely new, and the roster features plenty of fresh faces as well. Austin Ekeler is now one of the veterans on the Commanders' offense. He recently spoke with the media about why he decided to leave the Chargers and join the Commanders.
The Washington Commanders have been hard at work remaking their organization this offseason. Ownership and the front office is entirely new, and the roster features plenty of fresh faces as well. Austin Ekeler is now one of the veterans on the Commanders' offense. He recently spoke with the media about why he decided to leave the Chargers and join the Commanders.
“They wanted a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year, and, look, I haven’t had the capacity to do that,” Ekeler said on Monday, via Chargers Wire. “That’s not my game. That’s not how Austin Ekeler is going to be the best on the field. So there was a misalignment there, which, no harm no foul. I’ll go somewhere else where Austin can be the best version of myself out there.”
Ekeler's comments seem to align well with his decision to join the Commanders, as well as how the Chargers are expected to use their running backs. Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh loves having a strong running game and would likely prefer a bell cow back instead of someone versatile like Ekeler. The Chargers signed Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins to pound the rock in 2024, as well as drafting bruiser Kimani Vidal.
Meanwhile, Ekeler will likely share backfield duties with Brian Robinson Jr. in Washington. The pair have complementary skillsets, with Robinson Jr. serving as a tough downhill runner and Ekeler offer a change up. Ekeler is also an excellent receiver, so expect him to be the team's third-down back in passing situations.
49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk hints at Jayden Daniels reunion with Commanders in viral TikTok
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been the subject of several trade rumors this offseason.
The star wide receiver is playing on the fifth-year option in 2024 and is reportedly seeking a long-term contract extension. Headlines have swirled around Aiyuk throughout the spring and summer, highlighting that multiple teams are interested in him. However, the 49ers seem to want to hold onto Aiyuk.
The latest development in Aiyuk's trade saga was a TikTok video that Aiyuk recently posted. In the video, Aiyuk is on a video call with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels. In the clip, Aiyuk says “They said they don't want me back… I swear.” We can assume he is talking about the 49ers, no no such claim has been reported by a journalist. .
The Commanders have popped up as a possible trade destination for Aiyuk for a handful of reasons. First, Washington could use another wide receiver to round out their offense. Second, Aiyuk and Commanders' rookie QB Jayden Daniels have a history together. The pair played together at Arizona State in 2019. Aiyuk hauled in 65 receptions for 1,192 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2019 for the Sun Devils.
Washington's front office has connections with Aiyuk as well. GM Adam Peters was a member of the 49ers front office when they drafted Aiyuk in 2020.
It will be interesting to see what happens with Aiyuk's standoff with the 49esr. It would be awesome to see him join the Commanders and help them take their offense to the next level.
