Recently, I became aware of Austin Ekeler’s mobile app, “Eksperience” and it got me thinking more about what Ekeler has going on off the field. The 29-year old pass catching back recently made the move to the Washington Commanders earlier this year, I totally understand his heightened business efforts considering the devaluation of veteran running backs in the NFL.

Making millions of dollars in the NFL, is a good launching point for any business venture. Let’s explore Austin Ekeler’s salary, new contract with the Commanders, and his numerous budding business ventures.

About Austin Ekeler

Austin Ekeler is a running back for the Washington Commanders in the National Football League (NFL). Born on May 17, 1995, he is 28 years old, stands 5’10” and weighs 200 lbs. Ekeler played college football at Western Colorado University, where he set the school record for career rushing yards.

In 2017, Ekeler entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Los Angeles Chargers. Despite his undrafted status, he has become a key player in the league. Ekeler’s performance includes leading the NFL in total touchdowns for both the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

Ekeler’s path to the NFL began at Eaton High School in Colorado, where he accumulated 5,232 rushing yards and 71 touchdowns over his high school career. As a zero-star recruit, he received limited interest from Division I schools, ultimately choosing Western Colorado University, the only school to offer him a position as a running back.

RELATED: RUNNING BACK BY COMMITTEE EXPLAINED

Austin Ekeler Contract Details with Commnaders

Austin Ekeler’s contract with the Washington Commanders is worth a total of $8,430,000 over two years, including a signing bonus of $3,000,000. The deal includes $4,210,000 in guaranteed money at signing.

Contract Breakdown (2 years)

Contract Detail	Value
Contract Length	2 years
Total Value	$8,430,000
Average Annual Salary	$4,215,000
Signing Bonus	$3,000,000
Guaranteed at Signing	$4,210,000
Total Guaranteed	$4,210,000
Workout Bonus (per year)	$100,000
2024 Cap Hit	$3,230,000
2025 Cap Hit	$5,110,000
Free Agency Year	2026 (UFA)

Ekeler’s contract reflects his value as an established NFL running back. While the total value is lower than some top wide receiver contracts due to the difference in positional value, the high percentage of guaranteed money (nearly 50% of the total contract value) demonstrates the Commanders’ commitment to Ekeler. The contract structure, with increasing cap hits in the second year, suggests the team is balancing immediate impact with future salary cap considerations.

Ekeler is set to become an Unrestricted Free Agent (UFA) in 2026, potentially allowing him to negotiate a new contract at age 30, still within the typical prime years for running backs.

Austin Ekeler Salary Progression

Rookie Contract (2017-2020):

• Average Annual Salary: $556,667
• Total Value: $1,670,000 over 3 years

First Extension with Chargers (2020-2024):

• Average Annual Salary: $6,125,000
• Total Value: $24,500,000 over 4 years

Current Contract with Commanders (2024-2025):

• Average Annual Salary: $4,215,000
• Total Value: $8,430,000 over 2 years

Ekeler’s salary has seen significant growth since his rookie contract, reflecting his development into a key offensive player. His first extension with the Chargers represented a major increase, with his average annual salary jumping from $556,667 to $6,125,000, an eleven-fold increase.

However, his current contract with the Commanders shows a decrease in average annual salary compared to his previous contract, dropping from $6,125,000 to $4,215,000. This reduction of about 31% is notable and could be attributed to several factors:

1. Age: At 28, Ekeler is approaching what’s often considered the latter part of a running back’s prime.
2. Market trends: The running back market has been volatile, with teams generally less willing to commit large, long-term contracts to the position.
3. Team strategy: The Commanders may have structured the deal to balance immediate impact with future flexibility.

In relation to the league’s highest-paid running backs:

1. Christian McCaffrey: $19,000,000 average annual salary
2. Alvin Kamara: $15,000,000 average annual salary
3. Jonathan Taylor: $14,000,000 average annual salary

Ekeler’s current average annual salary of $4,215,000 is significantly lower than these top earners. It’s about 22% of McCaffrey’s salary, 28% of Kamara’s, and 30% of Taylor’s. This places Ekeler outside the top tier of running back salaries in the NFL.

However, it’s important to note that Ekeler’s contract aligns with current trends in the running back market:

1. Shorter-term deals: His 2-year contract allows both player and team more flexibility.
2. Incentive-laden: While not explicitly stated in the provided information, such contracts often include performance bonuses.
3. Guaranteed money: With $4,210,000 guaranteed out of $8,430,000 total, about 50% of the contract is guaranteed, which is a favorable ratio for the player.

In conclusion, while Ekeler’s current salary represents a decrease from his previous contract and is lower than the top earners at his position, it reflects the current realities of the running back market in the NFL. The contract balances immediate compensation with future opportunities, allowing Ekeler to potentially negotiate a new deal at age 30 if he continues to perform at a high level.

The harder you work, the luckier you get pic.twitter.com/qMOaWDTF0r

— Austin Ekeler (@AustinEkeler) April 15, 2024

Football Career Statistics

Austin Ekeler’s journey to NFL stardom began at Western Colorado University, where he played from 2013 to 2016. During his college career, Ekeler set numerous school records and became Western Colorado’s all-time leader in rushing yards.

The success of Ekeler also speaks to the vast talent available in Division 2 collegiate programs.

Austin Ekeler College Stats

At Western Colorado, Ekeler appeared in 40 games over four seasons, showcasing his durability and consistent improvement. His college statistics demonstrate his growth as an offensive force:

Season	Team	GP	Att	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	Lng	TD
2013	Western Colorado	9	182	1,049	5.8	71	7	27	260	5.9	28	1
2014	Western Colorado	11	298	1,676	5.6	82	14	38	417	10.9	47	2
2015	Western Colorado	10	227	1,637	7.2	83	19	32	402	12.5	85	2
2016	Western Colorado	10	232	1,495	6.4	88	15	18	236	13.1	48	3
Career	–	40	939	5,857	6.2	88	55	115	1,315	11.4	85	8

Austin Ekeler NFL Stats

Since joining the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2017, Austin Ekeler has developed into one of the league’s most versatile running backs. His NFL statistics reflect his consistent improvement and impact:

Year	Team	Games	Att	Yds	Avg	TD	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD	Scrimmage Yds	Total TD
2017	LAC	16	47	260	5.5	2	27	279	10.3	3	539	5
2018	LAC	14	106	554	5.2	3	39	404	10.4	3	958	6
2019	LAC	16	132	557	4.2	3	92	993	10.8	8	1,550	11
2020	LAC	10	116	530	4.6	1	54	403	7.5	2	933	3
2021	LAC	16	206	911	4.4	12	70	647	9.2	8	1,558	20
2022	LAC	17	204	915	4.5	13	107	722	6.7	5	1,637	18
2023	LAC	14	179	628	3.5	5	51	436	8.5	1	1,064	6
Career		103	990	4,355	4.4	39	440	3,884	8.8	30	8,239	69

Ekeler’s NFL career has been marked by several standout seasons and achievements:

• In 2019, he had a breakout year with 1,550 scrimmage yards and 11 total touchdowns.
• 2021 saw Ekeler score a career-high 20 total touchdowns, tying for the NFL lead.
• He led the NFL again in 2022 with 18 total touchdowns.
• Ekeler is one of only four players in the last 15 years to score at least 15 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons.
• Along with Marshall Faulk, he is one of only two players in NFL history to have 10+ rushing touchdowns and 5+ receiving touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
• Since 2021, Ekeler leads the league with 44 scrimmage touchdowns (30 rushing, 14 receiving).

Despite a slight dip in production in 2023, Ekeler remains confident in his abilities, citing his consistent production when healthy. His versatility as both a runner and receiver makes him a valuable asset in both real and fantasy football.

As Ekeler enters the 2024 season, he aims to reclaim his status as one of the NFL’s most productive running backs, now under the guidance of his former coach Anthony Lynn.

During Ekeler’s rookie contract, Anthony Lynn served as the Chargers head coach. Lynn was hired in early 2024, as the Commanders run game coordinator and running backs coach.

Business Ventures and Entrepreneurship

Austin Ekeler has proven to be as dynamic in the business world as he is on the football field. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to pursue various ventures, demonstrating his commitment to success both on and off the gridiron.

Eksperience Platform

One of Ekeler’s most notable business ventures is the Eksperience platform, which has recently undergone a significant relaunch and upgrade.

Key features of Eksperience:

1. Fan engagement platform connecting users with athletes, influencers, and stars
2. Offers one-on-one sessions with a diverse range of personalities
3. Available as a mobile app for easy access
4. Supports various interactions, from football insights to entrepreneurial guidance
5. Portion of proceeds supports charitable causes

The platform aims to create a unique space for fans to connect with their favorite personalities, learn from experts, and gain inspiration from their stories.

Real Estate Investments

Ekeler has built an impressive real estate portfolio:

• Owns 107 units across Colorado and Missouri
• Started by flipping properties
• Demonstrates his understanding of long-term wealth building and diversification

Venture Investing

Ekeler has shown interest in venture capital and startup investments:

• Partnered with Liquid Death water company
• Explores opportunities in streaming and gaming industries

Pro Athlete Ventures (PAV)

Ekeler is involved with Pro Athlete Ventures, an initiative focused on:

• Showcasing NFL players’ off-field endeavors
• Highlighting athletes’ charitable work and entrepreneurial pursuits
• Raising awareness for players’ foundations and causes
• Connecting fans with athletes’ stories beyond their sports careers

Social Media and Brand Building

Ekeler leverages various social media platforms to engage with different fan bases:

• Instagram: 207,000 followers
• Twitter: 89,000 followers
• Twitch: 36,000 followers

He uses each platform strategically to reach different subsets of his fanbase and build his personal brand.

Business Philosophy

Ekeler’s approach to business is characterized by:

1. Maximizing opportunities during his active playing career
2. Opening as many doors as possible while in the NFL spotlight
3. Understanding the time-sensitive nature of an NFL player’s marketability
4. Diversifying investments and income streams

Through these various ventures, Austin Ekeler has positioned himself as not just a talented athlete, but also a savvy entrepreneur. His business acumen and forward-thinking approach demonstrate his commitment to long-term success and impact beyond his football career. As he continues to balance his on-field performance with his off-field endeavors, Ekeler serves as an inspiring example of an athlete leveraging their platform for broader business success and community impact.