Chargers News: LA's Top RB Target Set to Hit Free Agency
The Los Angeles Chargers have continuously been linked to numerous free agents as the market holds strong with a number of veterans looking for new homes. Even though Austin Ekeler has opted to return to the franchise in 2023 along with some new incentives that could be coming his way.
Nonetheless, it looks like LA wants to prepare for the years after that when Ekeler will probably leave to another team for more money. Reports continue surfacing that Dalvin Cook and the Minnesota Vikings will go their separate ways and LA could be the perfect landing spot for him.
Cook is coming off of a 2022 campaign that saw him record 1,173 yards and catch 39 passes. The Vikings were able to go 13-4 and snag the number one seed in the NFC North in large part due to his play. There are few running backs that are more experienced than Cook and we've been seeing the past couple of years just how much the Bolts need to improve in that regard.
Sports Illustrated's Mike McDaniel has been covering the situation very closely and says to expect a move very soon.
"The team has been preparing for a post-Cook era at running back for months. General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah re-signed the team’s No. 2 running back Alexander Mattison to a new contract in free agency that is set to guarantee him $6.35 million over the next two seasons."
(Via Sports Illustrated)
"Seifert notes that there had been speculation that the league’s release of salary cap space on post-June 1 moves could spark a trade for Cook. However, Cook remains a member of the Vikings through that deadline, and could now be released."
(Via Sports Illustrated)
This is yet another wrinkle that will have to be unfolded in the very interesting offseason of the Chargers!
