Chargers News: Austin Ekeler Projected to Sign With NFC Super Bowl Hopeful
NFL free agency will begin this upcoming week, and the Los Angeles Chargers have a ton of moves they could make. Although the Chargers could gain some new players on the market, they could also lose a ton of players.
The Bolts have a bunch of players set to be free agents, including arguably their best offensive weapon, running back Austin Ekeler.
Ekeler was not franchise-tagged by the Chargers, and he will hit free agency this spring.
There's a good chance he doesn't return to the Bolts, and in all likelihood, he will leave for another squad. The oddsmakers think the Raiders, Eagles, and Bears are in the mix for Ekeler; however, Alex Kay of Bleacher Report says this NFC powerhouse is a good fit. Kay says the predicted landing spot for the dynamic running back is the Dallas Cowboys.
The Dallas Cowboys should roll the dice on Ekeler this spring, as owner Jerry Jones has never shied away from a splashy free-agent signing.
Dallas didn't find the success it was hoping for after releasing Ezekiel Elliott and installing longtime backup Tony Pollard as its starting back for 2023. With Pollard set to test the market, the Cowboys could opt for a fresh start by letting him walk and bringing Ekeler aboard for 2024.
Predicted Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys
According to Bet California, the Cowboys have the fifth-best odds to land Ekeler.
Ekeler may be a big name, but he is coming off his worst season in his career. However, you could argue it was due to the high ankle sprain he suffered in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. Ekeler's best game came against the Dolphins, after that, he was a shell of himself.
Because of his mediocre play all season, he will not receive the money he thought he would before the 2023 season. According to Kaym, the front office could shell out an estimated $7.4 million annually. That could be a big gamble, considering how the 28-year-old ended last season.
When Ekeler is on, he is one of the NFL's most dynamic, explosive, and exciting backs. The Cowboys could use all that and more, as they lacked such firepower last season. Then again, so could the Chargers alongside head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman.
