Chargers Not Allowing Austin Ekeler to Change Their Draft Plans

Austin Ekeler's NFL future is one of the most important storylines heading into the 2023 NFL season and, more importantly for now, the 2023 draft.

He is without a doubt one of the most talented running backs in the entire league and has established himself as a premier offensive option. Beyond just totaling over 900 rushing yards in the past two seasons, he also led his position in receptions in 2022.

Austin Ekeler punches it in for his first TD of the season 🙌

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/o8XYsEirWi
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 2, 2022

This is why it is so odd that we have not heard seemingly any solid offers for him or even any favorite teams that are trying to add him. He is not on the younger side at 27-years-old but he still has many more productive seasons to offer.

Bijan Robinson is one of the most highly-coveted RB prospects heading into the 2023 draft and LA has been linked as a favorite to bring him in. Their odds of drafting him only jumped up after Ekeler failed to agree on a contract extension.

Chargers GM Tom Telesco has made it known that there have been no updates on his extension with the team but that it will not impact their plans for the draft.

"The uncertainty regarding Ekeler will not change the team’s approach to the draft, Telesco said. The Chargers have

Joshua Kelley

, Larry Rountree and

Isaiah Spiller

."

“When you look at the draft, when you draft players in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth round, people think that they are going to come in and immediately fill a need,” Telesco said. “You hope that they come in and earn a role, but you’re really looking for players from previous draft classes to rise up.”

(Via NBC Sports)

What does this mean for the trust between Ekeler and LA?

Many fans have looked at a potential pairing of Ekeler and a top RB prospect like Robinson as a scary duo. However, I personally think Ekeler would be disrespected if LA chooses a player at his position with their first round pick.

The Chargers are going to have to make a decision soon and not everybody will be pleased.