Austin Ekeler: The NFL's Unrecognized Star

Austin Ekeler's Underappreciated Excellence: A Closer Look at His NFL Career

Description

Discover why Austin Ekeler, despite his stellar NFL career, has never made it to the Pro Bowl. Explore his journey and challenges.

Introduction

Even if you are only a casual NFL fan, you have probably heard of Austin Ekeler. He's set to begin his seventh season with the Chargers, and his recent numbers say much about his talent and determination. 

He has scored 38 touchdowns in the last two years, 12 more than any other player during that time. Since 2021, his 3,195 yards from scrimmage rank fourth in the league. 

He's one of only five running backs in NFL history to catch 100 passes in a season, and his 107 catches in 2022 tied for the second-most by a back. 

He was recently named the NFL Network's annual Top 100 player, and he is ESPN's No. 1 fantasy back heading into the 2023 season.

Despite this, he has never been selected for the Pro Bowl. What an inequity.

The Befuddling Snub

You'd be wrong if you think athletes don't care about that kind of recognition, even separate from the contract incentives that Pro Bowl appearances can bring.

"Any type of recognition, I think, is definitely something that is meaningful to players," Ekeler said.

"It's still a spotlight, and that's important." You will always hold that title as an individual."

Ekeler, in particular, appears to have slipped between the gaps and perhaps considered himself an "outlier." 

Maybe it's because he's never run for 1,000 yards, but neither has New Orleans Saints five-time Pro Bowler Alvin Kamara. And, like Kamara, Ekeler has surpassed 1,500 yards from scrimmage three times. 

Ekeler also has Kamara and most of his contemporaries beat when it comes to incredible workout videos posted to the 5-10, 200-pounder's Instagram account—perhaps with the exception of Tennessee Titans weight room superstar Derrick Henry.

The Struggle of Running Backs

His relative anonymity comes at a time when players in his position are competing not only for their livelihoods but also for valuable cash, which appears to be drying up for tailbacks. Ekeler had to fight for $1.75 million in incentives to be added to the last year of his contract, and even if he met them all, he'd only receive a very modest $8 million altogether.

"Running backs are being taken for granted for sure," said Ekeler, who is now a vice president on the NFL Players Association's executive committee, a position that allows him to highlight his position's financial problems and possibly fix them in the future.

At the moment, though, don't mistake Ekeler for bitter or ungrateful.

"For me, it's about impact," said Ekeler, whose path to the Pro Bowl has been obstructed by more traditional runners such as AFC stalwarts and annual honorees Henry and Nick Chubb, whom he admires.

"Looks like I've got a little bit more to do to get over the hump," Ekeler laughs, implying that he may have to join Roger Craig, Marshall Faulk, and Christian McCaffrey in the select brotherhood of runners who rush and receive for 1,000 yards in the same season.

"A lot is riding on this year for me."

The Ekeler All-Stars

In that spirit, we'd like to get Ekeler's 2023 season off to a good start by using his name for  Sports' first "All-Ekeler Team," which isn't bound by an opaque Pro Bowl voting process that includes players, fans, and coaches. In reality, the sole qualifiers for the All-Ekeler roster are solid NFL performances that have yet to earn Pro Bowl or first-team All-Pro honours. (As a result, players drafted in 2023 are ineligible.)

And we'd like to think the inaugural All-Ekeler squad includes a good mix of young and experienced players, all deserving of a higher profile, with the hope that most of them won't be considered again in 2024 and beyond.

Conclusion

To summarize, Austin Ekeler's NFL journey is a testament to the hard work and determination of underappreciated talent in the league. Despite not being named to the Pro Bowl, he is a standout player who contributes considerably to his team's success.

FAQs

Why has Austin Ekeler not been chosen for the Pro Bowl?

The omission of Austin Ekeler from the Pro Bowl is a troubling problem in the NFL. Despite his great statistics, he has garnered little recognition.

What are the difficulties that NFL running backs face?

Because of shifting opinions of the position's value, running backs like Austin Ekeler frequently confront contract negotiations and financial difficulties.

What exactly is the All-Ekeler Team?

The All-Ekeler Team is a  Sports effort that recognizes excellent NFL players who have not received Pro Bowl or first-team All-Pro honours.

Will Austin Ekeler pursue Pro Bowl honours in the future?

Yes, Austin Ekeler is still determined to make the Pro Bowl and to make a huge impact in the 2017 NFL season.

How can fans rally behind underappreciated NFL players like Austin Ekeler?

Fans can help Austin Ekeler by appreciating his efforts and asking for fair treatment in the league.