Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekIncluded Columnist IVFebruary 26, 2024
Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire through Getty Images
Running back Austin Ekeler will apparently be offered this offseason.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Los Angeles Chargers are not anticipated to position the franchise tag on Ekeler. That implies he can end up being a totally free representative and indication with whichever group provides him the very best offer.
It appears as if a pattern is emerging at the position, as Schefter likewise reported the New York Giants are not anticipated to position the $12.1 million tag on Saquon Barkley, the Dallas Cowboys are not anticipated to position the very same tag on Tony Pollard and the Tennessee Titans are not anticipated to position it on Derrick Henry.
What’s more, the Las Vegas Raiders are not anticipated to position a $14.1 million tag on Josh Jacobs however wish to re-sign him.
The absence of brand-new long-lasting offers for running backs was a significant subject of conversation last offseason. Ekeler was rather included, as Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported in July 2023 that he arranged a Zoom conference for “dissatisfied NFL running backs” to talk about the present state of the position.
While having a star running back is a benefit, the regrettable truth of the position for the gamers is it is rather changeable on top level as long as the offending line is producing holes up front.
With that as the background and the large variety of prominent running backs anticipated to strike complimentary company this offseason, it might be hard for Ekeler and others to land the kinds of long-lasting agreements they are undoubtedly wishing for ahead of the 2024 project.
Ekeler can a minimum of draw on his capability to affect the video game in several methods.
He isn’t far gotten rid of from the 2022 season that saw him tally 107 catches for 722 backyards and 5 goals together with 915 lawns and 13 ratings on the ground. Those were career-best numbers in hurrying lawns, hurrying goals and catches, although he didn’t reach the 993 getting backyards and 8 goal captures he published in 2019.
Had Ekeler ended up with those kinds of numbers once again in 2023, he may be in line for a huge offer.
He saw a drop in production on the method to 628 hurrying lawns and 5 hurrying goals along with 51 catches for 436 lawns and one goal.
Ekeler will likewise turn 29 years of ages this offseason, however some groups will certainly wish to gamble provided a few of the numbers he has actually installed in the past.