It sounds like star running back Austin Ekeler and the Los Angeles Chargers are indeed set to part ways once free agency opens.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Ekeler is among the many big-named running backs who will NOT receive the franchise tag. That means this year’s free agent RB class will likely feature Ekeler, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, 2022 rushing champion Josh Jacobs and two-time rushing champion Derrick Henry.
So the Chargers will have plenty of big-named options to pursue as potential replacements for Ekeler. And there is also speculation growing that the Chargers could look to replace Ekeler with Barkley.
During a recent interview with Kay Adams on FanDuel’s “Up & Adams” show (h/t Eva Geitheim of Sports Illustrated), Barkley himself hinted at interest in joining Jim Harbaugh’s team.
“I have nothing but respect for Coach Harbaugh, obviously the success he had in the NFL before, playing against him in college,” Barkley said. “If the opportunity were to present itself, I definitely wouldn’t be against it.”
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Not only that, but the Chargers have emerged as one of the top betting favorites to land Barkley.
The Chargers are coming off a disappointing 5-12 season, and the first major changes were bringing in Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz as the new head coach and general manager, respectively.
Los Angeles will have the cap space to pursue a big-named running back like Barkley, who could do wonders in a Justin Herbert-led offense. Barkley has exceeded 1,200 yards of offense in four NFL seasons, including a league-leading 2,028 in his rookie 2018 season.
For his career, Barkley has 5,211 rushing yards and 35 rushing touchdowns.
