Staley: Trade-seeking Ekeler has respect of Bolts

PHOENIX -- Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley expressed respect and patience for running back Austin Ekeler, despite Ekeler's request to explore trade options as he enters the final season of his contract.

"The respect for Austin, I think from our side of things is at the highest they could be for a player," Staley said Monday at the NFL Annual Meeting. "The position that he's in, we're certainly respectful of and I think there's been communication with his team and so we're understanding of that position."

Staley also said that contract discussions have begun with quarterback Justin Herbert, who became eligible to sign an extension after the season.

"Those talks are ongoing," Staley said. "We're at the beginning of all that, but we all know how we feel about him and I think navigating this process, we have a very good relationship with his team."

Ekeler had an NFL-best 18 touchdowns in 2022, and is scheduled to earn $6.25 million in the fourth and final season of a $24.5 million extension.

Earlier this month, Ekeler told Chris Long on the "Greenlight" podcast that he was "so underpaid right now" and expressed a desire to sign a long-term extension, whether with the Chargers or elsewhere.

"I'm getting half of my value of what I could be getting," Ekeler said. "So it's like, I'm relentlessly pursuing someone who wants me for the long term."

Ekeler, who turns 28 in May, emphasized that he had no ill-will toward the Chargers and would like to remain with the organization, which signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Western State Colorado in 2018, but that he hoped it would be under the correct circumstances.

Staley said Monday that the organization would like Ekeler to continue with the team.

"We see him as someone that is going to help us win a world championship," Staley said. "But we're also respectful of the position he's in within his career and what he's looking for too, so we're going to be patient but we love Austin Ekeler."

When asked if the possibility remained that Ekeler's situation could be "ironed out" and that he would remain on the team in 2023, Staley responded: "That's fair to say."

Over the last two seasons, Ekeler has scored 38 touchdowns -- 12 more than the next closest player.

In the six seasons since the Chargers signed Ekeler, he has amassed 63 touchdowns, joining Hall of Famer Lenny Moore as the only players in NFL history to record 25 rushing and 25 receiving touchdowns in their first six seasons in the NFL.