What was the number one thing that brought Austin Ekeler to the Washington Commanders in free agency? Well, "it comes down to a few different factors," the running back told Team 980's Chris Russell and Lynnell Willingham during a conversation Thursday.
"One of them is that money talks, and what I mean by that is – there's two ways to interpret that, 'who really wants you the most? and then 'Where's the best opportunity for you?'" Ekeler said. "And the money is gonna follow that. If somebody is bringing more money to the table it's because they see you as fitting into their offense, they want to use you and they think that there's an opportunity for you to succeed in their establishment.
"And that also has a simultaneous effect on me 'cause that's what I'm looking for. I want to go to a good fit where I'm going to have an opportunity to continue to produce, to continue to establish myself and build up my career, but also add to what were trying to do offensively on the field as well."
Ekeler also pointed to the connection he has with Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, who was his head coach with the Chargers in the past. "He knows how I've been effective for him in the past... and so that definetly helps," he said.
In addition to that, with the new owner, new general manager, new head coach, new coaching staff and new players – like Ekeler – there is the opportunity for the veteran players to establish a new culture and a new identity and new brand to give themselves the best chance to succeed.
Ekeler said he anticipates being the person who is there to push people to achieve more and do more in a culture that "has each other's back" and motivates them to uphold an off-the-field standard that allows them to achieve more on the field.
Catch the full conversation with the Commanders new running back on the audio player above!