The Los Angeles Chargers are all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, which means they can use these final three games to test out some players that have not got their due.
One of those players is Isaiah Spiller, who could separate himself as the next RB1 with more expanded opportunities. Spiller has only seen the field in small fashion this season, but that has seemingly changed in the past two weeks.
Before Brandon Staley was let go, he revealed he was committed to finding a running game that would work. Austin Ekeler was not meeting demands and his fumbles did not help matters. Spiller could now benefit from the Chargers not making the playoffs with a more expanded role.
"Spiller has gotten more run in the backfield the past two weeks. Up until Week 13, he had played just 46 total offensive snaps, carrying the ball 12 times for 27 yards. But his usage has seen a noticeable uptick of late, as Spiller has tallied 22 carries for 69 yards in the past two games while playing 36 snaps. With Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley both slated to be free agents this offseason, Spiller has a chance to keep carving out a potential role for himself in 2024."
Eric Smith of Chargers.com detailed the five players that should be looked at deeper during the final three games of the season, and Spiller is one of those players.
It would make perfect sense for Spiller to get more of a workload in these final three games, as they will not matter to the overall end of the Chargers season. It would be a miracle for them to make the playoffs. So, why not experiment by allowing players deeper on the depth chart a chance to get some much-needed reps?
Ekeler has had too many issues this season, and he is set to become a free agent. The Chargers are also set to be over the cap by a great margin next season, so the team would do well with allowing Ekeler to walk instead of investing more time into him.
Spiller could see a more expanded role in the final stretch of the season, which could set him up for a hugely expanded role in the 2024 season.
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