Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (10) hands off to running back Austin Ekeler (30) during the second quarter of a wild card game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Chargers star running back Austin Ekeler could be on a new team come next season. The 27-year-old Ekeler is reportedly requesting to speak with other teams about a potential trade as a contract extension between him and the Chargers could not be reached.

“Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler is requesting to speak with other teams about a potential trade after preliminary talks with the team aimed at a contract extension did not progress, his agent Cameron Weiss told ESPN,” ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter tweeted Monday.

According to Schefter, Ekeler is due $6.25 million in 2023 in what is scheduled to be the last year of his contract. The former undrafted free agent out of Western Colorado has been a vital part of the Chargers’ offense and the development of star quarterback Justin Herbert. Playing in all 17 games this past season, Ekeler ran for 915 yards on 204 rushing attempts with 13 touchdowns on the ground. He also hauled in 107 receptions with 722 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions.

The NFL world reacted to Ekeler’s shocking request on Twitter.

It’s unclear whether the Chargers will grant Ekeler’s request. But it’s certainly a situation worth monitoring with the NFL’s legal tampering period now underway.

[Adam Schefter on Twitter]

About Sam Neumann

Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.