Where Austin Ekeler ranks among best running backs in Chargers history

Austin Ekeler is no longer a member of the Los Angeles Chargers and after some contract demands made before the start of the 2023 season followed by his subsequent on-field performance that year, many Chargers fans have a bad taste in their mouths when it comes to him.

But he deserves to have some respect put on his name and that's what you're about to read here.

Looking back at every running back to ever play for the Chargers, where does Austin Ekeler rank among the best? There is one running back who is head and shoulders above everyone and an easy choice for No. 1, but what about Ekeler?

This list will conjure up some names from the past and their accomplishments will be compared to that of Ekeler's, who joined the Chargers as one of the biggest long-shot stories the NFL has ever seen.

Top 7 running backs in Los Angeles Chargers history

The list will include seven running backs because some names could not be left off the list because of their contributions to the team. In descending order, these are the greatest running backs in the team's history.

7. Chuck Muncie (1980-84): Muncie is actually second on the team's all-time list with 43 rushing touchdowns. He only played for the team for five seasons but he made the Pro Bowl in two of those and led the league in rushing touchdowns in 1981.

6. Marion Butts (1989-1993): A seventh-round pick in 1989, Butts climbed the depth chart with the Chargers and became a downhill runner for the team that no one was eager to tackle. In five seasons with the Bolts, he left as the second-leading rusher in team history when his career was over and still ranks fourth on the list.

5. Melvin Gordon (2015-2019): Gordon is one of only nine running backs ever drafted in the first round by the Chargers and one of only two that made this list. In five seasons with the team, he rushed for 4,240 yards which is fifth-most in team history. He was also terrific as a receiver out of the backfield.

4. Natrone Means (1993-95, 98-99): Means was similar in running style to Butts and he came around right after him, But he was a bit more athletic and he did it for a bit longer, having two stints with the team. He ultimately finished with 3,885 yards and 34 rushing touchdowns for the team.

His 1994 season is what elevates him on this list. That year he rushed for 1,350 yards and 12 touchdowns and was the starting running back for the team in its only Super Bowl appearance to date.

3. Paul Lowe (1960-68): Lowe played with the Chargers back in the AFL days but his accomplishments can't be pushed aside just because they were so long ago. He was considered the greatest Chargers running back for nearly 40 years, until the guy who is No. 1 on this list came along, and his 4,972 rushing yards still rank second all-time.

2. Austin Ekeler (2017-23): Some may feel this is too high for Ekeler, but his contributions to this team, particularly when considering where he came from, cannot be overlooked. Ekeler was not even invited to the scouting combine. He had to go to another school to even get a look at a pro day.

He ended up rushing for 4,355 yards (third most in team history) but what set him apart was what he did as a receiver. His 440 receptions for the Chargers rank seventh in team history and every guy ahead of him on that list is either in the Hall of Fame or will be worthy of serious consideration for it.

Ekeler should not be looked down upon for wanting to be paid what he felt he was worth relative to what he had done for the franchise and he certainly won't be knocked for it here, which is why he appears at No. 2 on this list and honestly, for me that was a pretty easy decision.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2009): Easily No. 1. Tomlinson is not just the best running back in Chargers history, he is one of the best in NFL history. His 12,490 rushing yards for the team are nearly 8,000 more than Lowe, who is at No. 2. That is a number that may never be reached again by a Chargers running back.

Tomlinson set the standard for all Chargers running backs to follow and they are some large shoes to fill. He is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and ranks No. 7 in league history in rushing yards.

When you consider all of that and that he is the only player in Chargers history ahead of Ekeler on this list, it shows just how good Ekeler was for this team.