[Up & Adams] New @Commanders RB @AustinEkeler on why he and the #Chargers ultimately ended up parting ways… “They wanted a guy to hand the ball off to 300 times a year… that’s not my game. There was a misalignment there, no harm no foul.”
June 18, 2024
[Up & Adams] New @Commanders RB @AustinEkeler on why he and the #Chargers ultimately ended up parting ways… “They wanted a guy to hand the ball off to 300 times a year… that’s not my game. There was a misalignment there, no harm no foul.”
13 comments
Incredibly odd comment by Ekeler here in my opinion, especially considering Ek only had 179 carries last season (WHICH RANKED 31ST IN THE NFL). I understand the notion that he isn’t the type of back that we necessarily want in the new offense, but it seems like he is implying that we are asking for an unrealistic workload when really, Ek drastically underperformed even with a below average workload.
Does bro not remember what is yac was ?
If you break that down that’s about 17-18 carries a game, or 4-5 per quarter I really don’t see how that is some crazy amount especially for a guy who wanted to be paid top dollar.
I’ll miss Ekeler but he definitely would not have fit into Jim’s system so he’s not wrong and this is a good answer to the question. Ekeler is never going to be the back you hand the ball to 30 times a game and expect him to take over. He never did that here. Shitty o line or scheme or any other excuse otherwise. Was he electrifying in the pass game? Absolutely and that was an element we all loved. He’ll be a good check down blanket for Jayden in Washington. And it’ll be interesting to see how Herbo does now out of his comfort zone of checking down to Ekeler or throwing a 3rd down slant to Keenan. And with an improved o line too. Obviously he’s going to kill it and it is gonna open a whole new element to his game.
Ekeler isnt a back you run down the middle 20 times a game and never has been. No harm no foul.
He’s a smug wanker. Glad to have him out the dressing room
Ekeler was awesome for us, but his numbers were always pumped because we always needed a complimentary traditional back to go alongside him (along with a better running scheme).
As good as Ekeler was, there’s a reason he was undrafted. He’s fantastic in space and catching the ball, but his skills end there. The organization needed to emphasize the position more.
He’s right, he’s terrible as an every down bell cow back. Misalignment of skill and need for us, good mutual parting of ways.
Never really like this guy. His priorities seem to be his outside businesses. The team and football were just the tool he uses to enhance his other ventures. I respect him as a businessman but don’t appreciate how that seems to be more important than the team and winning. He wants to build a brand with being a winner. Guy forgets how many dropped passes and key fumbles he had last year.
I feel like he’s on the downhill side of the RB career hill. I love the guy and he’ll always be a favorite of mine, but last year looked as though he’s just about to fall off that infamous rb career cliff
They just wanted a guy who could get 3rd or 4th and 1. Austin isn’t that guy.
Ekeler continues to take the high road and speak with class, and so many fans continue to attack him for one bad (injured) year. It’s ridiculous to me. He’s absolutely right, and self aware, about the best way he’s used, especially at this point in his career, and I’m glad he’s not bitter about how things ended after his awesome time with us.
He’s a pass catching back. Once defenses adjusted, they took away that and we couldn’t get the ball down the middle.
Without options downfield either due to injuries, we really needed a run game to provide options.
Loved Ek, but for the money and role he wanted, it wasn’t going to work.
13 comments
Incredibly odd comment by Ekeler here in my opinion, especially considering Ek only had 179 carries last season (WHICH RANKED 31ST IN THE NFL). I understand the notion that he isn’t the type of back that we necessarily want in the new offense, but it seems like he is implying that we are asking for an unrealistic workload when really, Ek drastically underperformed even with a below average workload.
Does bro not remember what is yac was ?
If you break that down that’s about 17-18 carries a game, or 4-5 per quarter I really don’t see how that is some crazy amount especially for a guy who wanted to be paid top dollar.
I’ll miss Ekeler but he definitely would not have fit into Jim’s system so he’s not wrong and this is a good answer to the question. Ekeler is never going to be the back you hand the ball to 30 times a game and expect him to take over. He never did that here. Shitty o line or scheme or any other excuse otherwise. Was he electrifying in the pass game? Absolutely and that was an element we all loved. He’ll be a good check down blanket for Jayden in Washington. And it’ll be interesting to see how Herbo does now out of his comfort zone of checking down to Ekeler or throwing a 3rd down slant to Keenan. And with an improved o line too. Obviously he’s going to kill it and it is gonna open a whole new element to his game.
Ekeler isnt a back you run down the middle 20 times a game and never has been. No harm no foul.
He’s a smug wanker. Glad to have him out the dressing room
Ekeler was awesome for us, but his numbers were always pumped because we always needed a complimentary traditional back to go alongside him (along with a better running scheme).
As good as Ekeler was, there’s a reason he was undrafted. He’s fantastic in space and catching the ball, but his skills end there. The organization needed to emphasize the position more.
He’s right, he’s terrible as an every down bell cow back. Misalignment of skill and need for us, good mutual parting of ways.
Never really like this guy. His priorities seem to be his outside businesses. The team and football were just the tool he uses to enhance his other ventures. I respect him as a businessman but don’t appreciate how that seems to be more important than the team and winning. He wants to build a brand with being a winner. Guy forgets how many dropped passes and key fumbles he had last year.
I feel like he’s on the downhill side of the RB career hill. I love the guy and he’ll always be a favorite of mine, but last year looked as though he’s just about to fall off that infamous rb career cliff
They just wanted a guy who could get 3rd or 4th and 1. Austin isn’t that guy.
Ekeler continues to take the high road and speak with class, and so many fans continue to attack him for one bad (injured) year. It’s ridiculous to me. He’s absolutely right, and self aware, about the best way he’s used, especially at this point in his career, and I’m glad he’s not bitter about how things ended after his awesome time with us.
He’s a pass catching back. Once defenses adjusted, they took away that and we couldn’t get the ball down the middle.
Without options downfield either due to injuries, we really needed a run game to provide options.
Loved Ek, but for the money and role he wanted, it wasn’t going to work.