Did Washington Commanders Sign 'Biggest Steal' in Austin Ekeler This Offseason?

The Washington Commanders signed Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler in free agency, but where does the signing rank among all other moves this offseason?

Dec 23, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

The Washington Commanders added several key pieces to their roster in free agency, one of which was Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler. Long wanting a large, long-term contract, Ekeler and the Commanders agreed to a rather modest two-year, $8.34 million deal.

With Brian Robinson Jr. showing what he can produce when given opportunities, the Commanders knew that having another solid back behind him made sense. Antonio Gibson (Patriots) was moved on, and Ekeler was brought into Kliff Kingsbury's offense, much to the surprise of some.

A dual-threat running back, Ekeler could prove to be one of the shrewdest moves of the offseason. But when comparing his signing in Washington to all others in free agency, where does it rank?

CBS Sports has Ekeler's move to the Nation's capital as the fourth-smartest move of the offseason.

"There are smart deals for free agent running backs, and paying Ekeler $4.17 million a year is one of them," CBS Sports writes. "Ekeler never received the contract he wanted with the Los Angeles Chargers, and those days of getting major money for his position appear to be past him at 29 years old. If Ekeler is fully recovered from the ankle injury, the Commanders are getting a player that had 3,195 scrimmage yards and 38 scrimmage touchdowns combined in 2021 and 2022. If Ekeler performs near that level in 2024, his contract will be one of the biggest steals in the NFL."

Ekeler's two-year, $8.34 million deal could end up being a steal for Washington if he can reach the heights of his 2021 and 2022 seasons. In both, he would surpass 900 rushing yards and 640 receiving yards along with a combined 38 touchdowns.

Dec 23, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) runs / Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

If Kingsbury can figure out a way to get Robinson and Ekeler to work in tandem behind what we think will be a new quarterback, the Commanders' offense could have some good things going for it in 2024.

Of course, there are weapons on the outside in Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson that could be utilized as well. Additionally, that is where Ekeler and his receiving skills can also be of use. A combined 158 receptions (1,158 yards, six touchdowns) across the last two seasons show Ekeler's ability in the passing game.

With Kingsbury's want to air out the football, getting Ekeler coudl get involved via screens and quick passes to allow him to work in open space could add another dimension to Washington's offense.

If, and that's a big if, Ekeler can rediscover his form from a couple of years ago, at the price the Commanders got him for, it could easily be the smartest move made by a team this offseason.