Austin Eckler will play for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2023.
Weeks after Eckler was allowed to seek a trade and said a return to the Chargers would be a “worst-case scenario”, the veteran running back decided to stay in Los Angeles for the final year of his contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Although he did not renegotiate the new deal he initially sought, the Chargers reportedly added $2 million in incentives to Eckler’s contract, per Schefter.
Eckler signed a four-year, $24.5 million deal with the Chargers in 2020, but has since led the NFL with 38 combined touchdowns from 2021-22. He will earn $6.25 million in base salary with a $1.5 million proportionate bonus in 2023 and could earn $2 million if undisclosed incentives are reached. Eckler totals 3,195 scrimmage yards since 2021 Fourth among all skill-position players and third among running backs,
The Chargers would surely be happy to keep Eckler around for another season. He complements Justin Herbert with a quality collection of offensive weapons that includes receivers Keenan Allen, Mike Williams and No. 21 pick Quentin Johnson. Los Angeles needs more and more firepower to compete with the Kansas City Chiefs, and Eckler’s presence certainly boosts their ability to score points in the fiercely competitive AFC.
