The Chargers will enter the offseason facing critical decisions as it relates to unrestricted free agents such as Philip Rivers, Hunter Henry and Melvin Gordon. But the team can’t lose sight of its top restricted free agent, Ekeler.
When a player is a restricted free agent, it makes it much harder for other teams to wrap their hands around them and lure them away. The Chargers will have the right to place a tender on Austin Ekeler, meaning they will get compensation in return if another team signs him. They will also have the opportunity to match any offer sheet Ekeler may sign with another team.