The Kansas City Chiefs have won back-to-back Super Bowl championships, but they could still use some more weapons on the offensive side of the ball.
That’s why ESPN’s Matt Bowen has named the Chiefs as the best fit for Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, who is set to hit free agency next month.
Bowen notes that Kansas City will likely be losing both Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon to free agency in the coming weeks and that if and when that happens, Ekeler would make for a great replacement and a terrific backfield mate for Isiah Pacheco.
Ekeler may also come cheaper than many would expect.
The 28-year-old is coming off of a rough 2023 campaign in which he rushed for 628 yards and five touchdowns while averaging a meager 3.5 yards per carry. He added 51 catches for 436 yards and a score.
That could make Ekeler a huge bargain on the open market this spring.
After all, Ekeler is just two years removed from leading the NFL in total touchdowns for the second straight season. In 2022, he registered 915 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground, logging 4.5 yards per attempt. He also hauled in 107 receptions for 722 yards and five scores.
Ekeler, who played his collegiate football at Western State in Colorado, went undrafted but landed with the Chargers in 2017.
After a couple of slow seasons to begin his NFL career, Ekeler broke out in 2019, recording 557 yards and three scores as a rusher while also catching 91 passes for 993 yards and eight touchdowns.
Since then, the Lincoln, Ne. native has been one of the most versatile halfbacks in football, and provided that 2023 was not the beginning of a steep decline for the veteran, he could end up flourishing in Kansas City’s offense.
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