Chargers Head Coach Reveals Why Austin Ekeler Hasn't Been Traded Amidst Drama

The desire to hold on to the running back is certainly there.

In Austin Ekeler's exclusive interview with Chris Long last week, he made a number of things clear including that he believes he deserves twice the amount of money he currently earns and that all running backs have been disrespected this offseason.

However, Chargers fans should be paying the most attention to the part of the interview where Ekeler assures that he would prefer to stay with the Chargers and that there is no bad blood between him and the franchise. He originally requested to speak with other teams to find a coaching staff interested enough to trade for him at the beginning of free agency.

Chargers' head coach Brandon Staley spoke to the media and revealed some insight that shows why the 27-year-old possibly hasn't been sealed to a different team yet.

Brandon Staley confident in Chargers' roster, 2023 rebound: "I think what we'll discover is we have what it takes"https://t.co/8XEPllHDJC pic.twitter.com/efk36dIPWx

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 26, 2023

"We've been in full communication with his team," said Staley. "I think there's alignment and a way forward. We want him to be a Charger. I think that that's something that (general manager) Tom (Telesco) has said. It's something I've said. We want this guy to be a Charger. We're also respectful of his position, and we're gonna see where it goes. There's gonna be time now between now and our first game, and we'll see what happens. But I know the Chargers feel very strongly about Austin Ekeler. He's just been fantastic for us."

Staley is making it clear that LA's front office doe snot want to trade Ekeler and that it is their last-resort option. There's been a a large amount of speculation from the fans regarding just how hard the Bolts are pursuing a contract with Ekeler and this answer from their head coach shows a lot.

Now knowing how the Chargers feel about the situation, I do believe that both sides will work something out before the 2023 season kicks off. There is mutual interest for him to remain in powder blue and now a number just needs to be agreed on.