NFL rumors, Sean McDermott (Photo by Timothy T Ludwig/Getty Images)
Chargers running back Austin Ekeler could be on the move, finally, and three particular destinations make the most sense
The Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers saga could soon be coming to an end.
Wednesday, the Chargers officially gave Ekeler permission to seek out a trade instead of returning to the team on his current contract. Ekeler has expressed a desire to get a new deal, which the Chargers have refused to do.
Ekeler has made it very clear he’s wanted out for a little while now, even calling a potential return to the Chargers on his current deal the “worst-case scenario.” He’s also gone out of his way to post cryptic messages on social media, leaving very little room for guesswork.
So, now that he’s allowed to seek a trade, which teams make the most sense? There are a few out there, but three in particular which could see Ekeler make the biggest impact.
Teams that need to free Austin Ekeler from the Chargers: Buffalo Bills
The Bills are one team that’s very close to contending, needing just one more playmaker on offense to level up Josh Allen and those around him. If they were to find a way to trade for Ekeler, you could pencil them into the AFC Championship Game right now.
Trading for Ekeler would mean Buffalo likely parts with second-year running back James Cook, whom the team selected in the second round last year. The former Georgia standout could be a nice replacement for Ekeler in Los Angeles and gives the Chargers a couple more years of a rookie running back contract.
Stefon Diggs, Dawson Knox and the often-explosive Gabe Davis, paired with Ekeler, could equal fireworks in the AFC East. Making a move like this would also help the Bills stay on par with a team like the Jets, who could be soon trading for Aaron Rodgers and will undoubtedly increase their divisional odds by doing so.