Austin Ekeler to join Commanders and bring dual-threat skills to backfield

By Ben Standig, Randy Mueller and Jeff Howe

The Washington Commanders added a potentially dynamic running back in Austin Ekeler after agreeing to terms on a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million, league sources confirmed to The Athletic. Ekeler, No. 60 on The Athletic’s 2024 free-agent list, is coming off a quieter season after leading the league with touchdowns scored in 2021 (20) and 2022 (18).

The versatile offensive playmaker became the fourth external free agent to agree to terms with Washington on the opening day of the league’s legal tampering period.

Ekeler, 28, has spent all seven years of his NFL career with the Los Angeles Chargers, who signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Before the 2023 season, he requested a trade from the franchise but ultimately stayed after incentives were added to his contract.

He finished last season with 1,064 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. That was the third straight and fourth overall season he tallied at least 1,000 yards from scrimmage, finishing with 628 rushing yards and 436 receiving yards.

He’s been one of the most productive running backs in the NFL during the last four seasons, scoring 47 offensive touchdowns during that stretch — the second most of any player at the position.

Ekeler is the kind of value signing that could become a big swing’s worth of production.

GO DEEPER

Commanders free-agency tracker: Austin Ekeler, Frankie Luvu agree to deals on Day 1

How he fits

Ekeler’s dual-threat capabilities make for a splendid match in new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s up-tempo attack. Two players who thrive in space, running back Antonio Gibson and wide receiver Curtis Samuel, were not expected to re-sign. Gibson landed with New England on Monday.

Look out if the Commanders landed the 2022 version of Ekeler who caught 107 passes and accounted for a career-best 1,637 yards from scrimmage. Fantasy football owners and Chargers fans know the wow factor brought by the 5-foot-9, 200-pound threat out of the backfield. Ekeler accounted for over 1,500 yards from scrimmage three times in seven seasons. The first time, 2019, came under head coach Anthony Lynn, now Washington’s running backs coach and run-game coordinator.

Ekeler arrives with an inexpensive deal because the league is devaluing running backs. After suffering a Week 1 high ankle sprain injury, his 2023 statistics fell sharply. Ekeler’s yards per carry (3.5) and touch (4.6) established career lows. He missed three games and was limited in others with the ankle injury.

2024 impact

Brian Robinson Jr. is Washington’s workhorse back, with Chris Rodriguez Jr. offering additional power in reserve. The shifty Ekeler perfectly fits the change-of-pace running back role. Whether the quarterback is a first-round rookie, Sam Howell or an unknown veteran, Ekeler is a solid safety valve and a potential nightmare matchup for linebackers.

History

“Ekeler’s 21 first downs via reception led this group of backs in 2023. He is slippery after the catch and runs bigger than his size, forcing arm tacklers to miss like a larger back. He has really good natural vision to find daylight and a nose for the goal line. He has plenty of gas left in his tank from a speed and acceleration standpoint, but he’s at his best when supplemented with an early-down back. — Former NFL GM Randy Mueller

GO DEEPER

NFL free-agency takeaways: What to make of the Day 1 run on running backs

Cap update

The Commanders agreed to terms with four players inside the first eight hours of the legal tampering window, and Ekeler’s terms are the runt of the litter.
After starting with roughly $80 million in effective space available, Washington can still maneuver as desired depending on how it structured first-year payouts.

Outlook

The Commanders had some offensive weapons but were set to lose their in-space threats. If healthy and capable of reaching his previous athletic heights (or an adjacent level), Ekeler will make up for Gibson and Samuel if the receiver signs elsewhere. The inside-outside duo with Robinson will cause problems for defenses, and a return to athletic form could mean rave reviews.

Required reading

(Photo: Michael Hickey / Getty Images)