Analyst: Cowboys Could Make a “Splash” by Signing the 2-Time Touchdown Leader

Analyst: Cowboys Could Make a “Splash” by Signing the 2-Time Touchdown Leader

One of the NFL’s more underappreciated players could be signed by the Dallas Cowboys to make a “splash” in free agency.

According to David Kenyon of Bleacher Report, running back Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers may decide to join the Cowboys. Ekeler’s time with the Chargers is practically done, as he is about to enter free agency.

After the Chargers’ regular season finale in January, Ekeler made the same statement.

After the regular-season finale, Ekeler reportedly said, “I’m not going to be with these guys anymore,

and it’s one of those journeys that I’ll always remember,”

as reported by Daniel Popper of The Athletic. “Yet it is sadder that it must end.”

The Cowboys might make Ekeler an offer in the $7–$8 million annual bracket, as Kenyon reports.

According to Kenyon, “when healthy, he remains a valuable and versatile back.

“How the 28-year-old is managing his job,

finances, and team competitiveness on what is probably going to be his last expensive contract is the question. For example, Dallas might offer $7-8 million annually to create a big impression.

The Reasons The Cowboys Should Sign Austin Ekeler

Ekeler will undoubtedly rank among the best and most sought-after running backs available to free agents.

His market, as he approaches his 29th season after the least productive of his career, is less obvious.

Ekeler only managed 628 yards on 179 carries (3.5 yards per carry) in the 2023 season,

with five touchdowns on the ground. He also only had 51 receptions for 436 yards and one touchdown.

In contrast, he had 13 rushing scores and 915 rushing yards on 204 carries (4.5 yards per carry) in the 2022 season.

He also had 107 receptions for 722 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

In the 2021 and 2022 seasons, Ekeler had back-to-back touchdown passes with the most in the NFL. Ekeler has produced a lot, but he has never been selected for the Pro Bowl.

Even with that kind of output, Ekeler did not get the kind of deal he was hoping for when he went into the 2023 offseason to talk about extending his contract. Following his April statement that he felt like he was “punched in the face” when the Chargers ended contract extension negotiations, Ekeler agreed the following month to a restructured deal that included $1.75 million in incentives.

These incentives comprised the following benchmarks, as reported by Kevin Patra of NFL.com.

According to Patra’s May 2023 write-up, “Ekeler can receive up to $1 million for total yards (tiers from 1,125 to 1,639), up to $600,000 for touchdowns (tiers from 10 to 16), and an additional $150,000 for being selected for the Pro Bowl in 2023.”

It should come as no surprise that Ekeler’s diminished contribution to the Chargers’ offense prevented him from earning any of those contract incentives.

Ekeler has a market worth of nearly $22 million, or $7.4 million annually, over the course of three seasons, according to Spotrac.

 

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