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Austin Ekeler has been one of the best running backs in the NFL in recent memory and is now embarking on the next chapter of his career with the Washington Commanders after spending the past six years with the Los Angeles Chargers.
That said, it wasn’t a smooth path to the NFL for Ekeler.
Ekeler was a no-star high school recruit and went on to play college ball for Division-II Western Colorado. He cracked the Chargers’ roster in 2017 as an undrafted free agent, playing on special teams but also serving as a backup running back. In the ensuing years — and largely assisted by veteran RB Melvin Gordon holding out for a new contract in 2019 — Ekeler began to get more reps, which eventually led to him becoming the Chargers’ lead back.
Ekeler has been a multifaceted threat ever since, both bursting up the middle on the ground and being a vital member of the Chargers’ passing game. He has rushed for 4,355 yards and 39 touchdowns on 990 carries, while reeling in 440 receptions for 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns in 103 career games (68 starts).
Washington, Ekeler’s new team, is coming off a 4-13 season that left the Commanders in last place in the NFC East for a second consecutive season. Washington hasn’t had a winning record since 2016 or won a playoff game since 2005.
Ekeler doesn’t care about Washington’s past, however. Rather, he’s focused on turning the page for the franchise.
“It’s a whole new year,” he told host Keyshawn Johnson on the latest edition of “All Facts No Brakes,” “Right now, how can I get myself implemented into this team and also help create the standards, create the culture? What does the standard look like? How do you hold people accountable? To hold people accountable, you have to have a tangible thing that you can actually see, touch, feel, do. Let’s make sure we establish those, so that’s what we’re doing right now.
“I don’t care about what’s happened in the past. … I wasn’t here. … A lot of our guys that are here weren’t here. … It’s…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/austin-ekeler-discusses-rb-market-qb-jayden-daniels-2024-commanders
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Publish date : 2024-06-07 20:52:59
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