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The Chargers have identified the running back they’d like to keep for the long haul. Instead of Melvin Gordon, former UDFA Austin Ekeler now has a second Bolts contract. Ekeler agreed to a four-year, $24.5M deal on Friday, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter). This pact will include $15M in guaranteed money. Ekeler was a restricted free agent but is now locked up through the 2023 season. This represents a remarkable rise for Ekeler, who entered the league in 2017 undrafted out of Division II Western State (Colo.). While he backed up Gordon for most of his first two seasons, Ekeler thrived in a starting role and then alongside the former first-round pick in 2019. He finished with 993 receiving yards — fifth-most ever in a season for a pure running back — and totaled 1,550 from scrimmage. Ekeler added 11 touchdowns and became the Bolts’ most explosive back last year. A report pointed Gordon toward free agency Thursday, and this Ekeler accord confirms it. After Gordon became extension-eligible in Janu
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