Jim Harbaugh Informed Austin Ekeler He Didn’t Need Him, as Commanders RB Declares Dan Quinn’s Partnership ‘Match Made in Heaven’

Within the high-stakes recreation of NFL musical chairs, Austin Ekeler discovered himself with out a seat in Los Angeles. The versatile operating again, identified for his potential to juke defenders out of their cleats, is now lacing up for a brand new group. Ekeler’s departure from the Chargers wasn’t only a altering of the guard – it was a conflict of soccer philosophies.

“They basically told me they want to go in a new direction,” Ekeler revealed within the Wealthy Eisen Present as we speak, pulling again the curtain on his exit. “They wanted a guy they can hand the ball off to 300 times a year.” For a participant who’s by no means crossed that three-century mark in carries, it was clear the Chargers had been searching for extra of a bell cow than a Swiss Military knife.

However as they are saying in soccer, when one group punts, one other’s able to obtain. Enter the Washington Commanders and their new head coach, Dan Quinn. Ekeler’s eyes lit up as he described the transfer as a “match made in heaven.” It’s like discovering the proper dance companion after being instructed you’ve obtained two left ft.

The reunion with the previous coach of Chargers, Anthony Lyn who now works as a operating backs’ coach in Washington was an icing on the cake.“I’m sure he was plugging some feelers out for Austin Ekeler and this kind of tandem backfield with Brian Robinson,” Ekeler hinted at that one-two punch they’re refining in D.C. It’s recreation plan that would appear good for Ekeler.

For Ekeler, it’s not merely discovering one other finish zone to dive into. It’s additionally about supporting constructing blocks of a profitable tradition. “It seemed like a match made in heaven for going back to some of my roots but also building a new culture out in Washington,” That is when Commanders ought to start performing like commandos.

Austin Ekeler steps up as vocal chief in Washington’s locker room

As Ekeler trades in his lightning bolts for some stars and stripes, he’s not simply centered on juking linebackers. The veteran operating again is taking over a brand new function: locker room chief. It’s time to go from breaking tackles to breaking the ice.

“I got to think about getting the guys that are in the building ready to go,” Ekeler said to Kay Adams in a current interview, sounding extra like a coach than a participant. “And what does that mean? That means establishing a standard because there’s a lot of new guys around.” He’s not simply speaking about setting the bar – he’s trying to increase the entire darn stadium.

Ekeler’s management playbook extends past simply his fellow operating backs. He’s already constructing chemistry with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, exchanging concepts sooner than a no-huddle offense. Throughout a current follow, Ekeler shared an eye-opening second: “I was running a man-beater choice route out of the backfield and we both saw it kind of a different way. He calls me over, ‘Hey Austin, come over here,’ and I’m like, yes, that is exactly what I want to hear from my quarterback.”

This veteran presence might be the key sauce the Commanders want as they appear to prepare dinner up a profitable formulation. As Ekeler put it through NFL Media, “You’re going to get the best version of myself always, no matter what.” For a group that’s been caught within the NFL’s basement longer than previous health club socks, Ekeler’s angle is more energizing than a brand new pair of cleats.

With 179 carries for 628 yards and 5 touchdowns final season, plus his receiving prowess, Ekeler brings a Swiss Military knife ability set to a Commanders offense that ranked sixth-worst in speeding yards final 12 months. It’s like including a turbo increase to a sputtering engine.

As Washington prepares for the 2024 season, they aren’t solely wanting ahead to maneuver the chains but additionally aiming at shifting mountains. With Ekeler within the backfield and his management within the locker room, might need simply discovered their new discipline basic. Let’s see if this match made in heaven can create some hell for opposing defences.