The Washington Commanders are signing former Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler to a two-year contract worth up to $11.43 million, reports Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.
Ekeler's contract is worth $4.82 million in Year 1, according to Pelissero. It includes a $3-million signing bonus and $1.5 million in incentives this season.
Ekeler played his first seven seasons for the Chargers, topping 1,000 scrimmage yards four times and leading the league in touchdowns twice. He scored 69 total touchdowns in 103 appearances with Los Angeles.
The former undrafted free agent, who'll turn 29 in May, recorded 38 scrimmage touchdowns while posting his most productive NFL seasons in 2021 and 2022. However, he wasn't able to replicate that success in 2023 and finished the campaign with six touchdowns and a career-low 3.5 yards per carry average across 14 games.
Ekeler will now reunite with Anthony Lynn, the Commanders' running backs coach who served as the Chargers' head coach from 2017-20.
Washington's running back depth chart is headlined by Brian Robinson Jr., who rushed for 733 yards (4.1 per carry) and five touchdowns last year. He also caught 36 passes for 368 yards and four TDs.
