Chargers and restricted free-agent RB Austin Ekeler reached agreement on a four-year, $24.5 million deal that includes $15 million guaranteed, sources tell ESPN.

This deal for Ekeler makes him the starter at RB for Los Angeles as they're clearly moving on from Melvin Gordon. The 24-year old finished as RB4 in total PPR points in 2019, amassing 1,550 combined yards on 132 rushes and 92 receptions. He's currently a second-round pick in early best-ball drafts, but could bump up to a first-rounder as we move through the off-season.

With new offensive coordinator Shane Steichen taking over playcalling duties for the first time after coach Anthony Lynn let go of Ken Whisenhunt last week, the move appeared to create a spark on offense, particularly with the running game.

Related players: Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler

Gordon had 20 carries for 80 yards and two TDs, Ekeler finished with 70 yards on 12 carries - it was something that resembled the team's running attack from last year. LA had failed to gain more than 40 rushing yards in a game with the return of Gordon over the previous four games.

In a surprising move, the Los Angeles Chargers fired offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt on Monday.

"This is not an easy decision and definitely not one that I take lightly," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said in a statement. "You win as a team, and you lose as a team. It's never about just one person. At the end of the day, however, I simply felt a change was needed at this time. I want to thank Ken for his years of service to the Chargers organization and wish him nothing but the best moving forward."

Related players: Melvin Gordon, Austin Ekeler

The Chargers (3-5) have struggled to move the football, averaging just 19.6 points per contest, which ranks 23rd in the NFL. The real struggle is running the ball, where it's been four-straight games with under 40 rushing yards - ironically all with Gordon back.

Head coach Anthony Lynn isn’t pointing the finger at Melvin Gordon when it comes to explaining the sluggish results of the run game the last two weeks.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with Melvin Gordon,” Lynn said, via the Los Angeles Times. “We’ve got to open up more running lanes. . . . Everybody’s got to be accountable for the man in, and those runners they really don’t have a chance. So, we’ve got to do a better job up front.”

Related players: Austin Ekeler

The Chargers averaged 103.5 rushing yards per game over the first four weeks without Gordon, but posted just 67 yards on the ground in their losses to the Broncos and Steelers the last two weeks with Gordon back in the fold. The team lost center Mike Pouncey and left tackle Russell Okung as well.

Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn said RB Austin Ekeler will play "a lot" on Sunday against the Broncos.

The Chargers will be getting Melvin Gordon back after he ended his holdout last week but did not play in Week 4 against the Dolphins, so this will be his season debut. But the Chargers are going to limit the workload of Gordon, meaning there will be plenty of work for Ekeler, which he deserves to have. Ekeler is currently the No. 2 running back in PPR scoring behind only Christian McCaffrey. Even when Gordon gets back up to speed, the Chargers would be silly not to keep playing Ekeler and there will be enough fantasy potential from both running backs. And even for this week, in a limited role, Gordon has flex, or even RB2 potential. Our latest PPR rankings here at 4for4 have Ekeler at No. 8 and Gordon at No. 21, as Denver has been getting chewed up by the run game this season.

At 5-foot-8 and 200 pounds, Austin Ekeler isn't built like a traditional tailback. However, Anthony Lynn believes the 24-year-old can be a feature back in the NFL.

"He plays with outstanding leverage," Lynn said. "And like I’ve said before, pound-for-pound he is the strongest man on our team."

Added Ekeler: "Physically, I feel good. I think with my body type, I'm lower to the ground and take less hits through my ankles and knees. I think that's really going to help me out through my entire career as far as injuries."

Related players: Justin Jackson

Ekeler finished with 154 yards from scrimmage in Week 1, a career high for him. He added three touchdowns as well, including the game-winner. Jackson was a nice compliment to Ekeler, but it was Ekeler who stole the show against the Colts. The Bolts seem pretty happy to continue this approach at RB, but of the two backs, Ekeler is looking like the one to own in fantasy leagues.