Ekeler: Negotiated Incentives for 2023 Contract Year

[electricgold]

Jerry Maguire: I'll tell you what you're going to do you're gonna play out your shitty contract. Rod Tidwell: Okay fine I'm all heart M-fer! (Ek: No I'm not trade me!)

[Bolt4Knob]

I like Ekler like everyone else, but i am kind of siding with management for one reason. I want the Chargers to field a good over all team and manage the cap wisely, and that means not over paying a devalued RB position in terms of dollars and term, and the players age and career cycle.

Exactly right. And his value for this stats outplayed his contract. But moving forward, a new OC, new play calls, different roster - his 6.25m will be the right value

[Boltjolt]

Looks like Zeke Elliott is about to be released - the Chargers should trade Ekeler before he hits the market. Granted, teams might wait and they are two different backs.

Zeke has lost a step as well. Pollard outplaying him, who is also a FA. Maybe the Cowboys may have interest in Ekeler?

Long shot perhaps.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Zeke has more milage yes and looks less effective than Ekler but it is still a tale of two 27 year old RBs. The cliff can come suddenly is the lesson here.

Zeke, at 27 is looking at a cheap one year deal or perhaps even retirement.

With Ekler about to turn 28, a wise GM doesnt give Ekler the big money he wants for another 3-4 years.

[QSmokey]

Would be sad to see Ekeler pull a Melvin Gordon.

Wouldn't you? Want a trade away from the Chargers, that is. Ekeler isn't getting any younger and I'm sure he wants a shot at a SB ring. Staying with the Chargers, he gets less money and zero chance in the next 2-3 years, at least, to achieve his goals. In fact, as long as Mahomes is around - so like 15 more years - the chances of the Chargers winning even the AFC West are nil. I see a Patriots-like dynasty in the making in KC. The Chargers are the AFC West version of the Bills, Dolphins, or Jets of the Brady Era. That's why guys like Ekeler, James, even Bosa, are making noise. They all want out. And who can blame them?

[QSmokey]

I like Ekler like everyone else, but i am kind of siding with management for one reason. I want the Chargers to field a good over all team and manage the cap wisely, and that means not over paying a devalued RB position in terms of dollars and term, and the players age and career cycle.

Well, they've already failed to manage the cap wisely, as evidenced by all the restructuring. They're just prolonging the agony. In the next year or two, all that deferred money will come due and payable and, at that time, they'll have to do what they should have done after the Jacksonville loss: Gone into rebuild mode. Right now, they (Telesco and Staley) are doing business in 'desperation mode'.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Wouldn't you? Want a trade away from the Chargers, that is. Ekeler isn't getting any younger and I'm sure he wants a shot at a SB ring. Staying with the Chargers, he gets less money and zero chance in the next 2-3 years, at least, to achieve his goals. In fact, as long as Mahomes is around - so like 15 more years - the chances of the Chargers winning even the AFC West are nil. I see a Patriots-like dynasty in the making in KC. The Chargers are the AFC West version of the Bills, Dolphins, or Jets of the Brady Era. That's why guys like Ekeler, James, even Bosa, are making noise. They all want out. And who can blame them?

The contenders dont have the cap room or the inclination to pay Ekler the money and term he is looking for. Carolina, Houston, Washington are the teams he will likley fit with. Teams with cap in need of weapons.

Money seems to be Eklers first concern here. He will go where he is paid.

[CanadianBoltFan]

Well, they've already failed to manage the cap wisely, as evidenced by all the restructuring. They're just prolonging the agony. In the next year or two, all that deferred money will come due and payable and, at that time, they'll have to do what they should have done after the Jacksonville loss: Gone into rebuild mode. Right now, they (Telesco and Staley) are doing business in 'desperation mode'.

Every team in the NFL , close to contensing with a good roster, like the Chargers, are restructuring while their window is open. Look around. This is just the first time Telesco has done it. Other teams have been doing it for years.

[QSmokey]

The contenders dont have the cap room or the inclination to pay Ekler the money and term he is looking for. Carolina, Houston, Washington are the teams he will likley fit with. Teams with cap in need of weapons.

Money seems to be Eklers first concern here. He will go where he is paid.

He could/might settle for more than he's making here (but less than the ridiculous $12 million that he supposedly wants) to play for a team like the Bills. He'd be a great fit there. With a real chance to make a SB run. Something he's not getting if he stays with the Chargers.

[QSmokey]

Every team in the NFL , close to contensing with a good roster, like the Chargers, are restructuring while their window is open. Look around. This is just the first time Telesco has done it. Other teams have been doing it for years.

Difference being, those teams' windows are open. The Chargers window, if it was ever open, closed when they retained Staley at the end of last season. Guys are just playing out the string. Some, like Ekeler and maybe James, want out.

[Bolt4Knob]

The contenders dont have the cap room or the inclination to pay Ekler the money and term he is looking for. Carolina, Houston, Washington are the teams he will likley fit with. Teams with cap in need of weapons.

Money seems to be Eklers first concern here. He will go where he is paid.

Trade him today before its too late. The Bengals have cap space and lost Perine

The Bears just signed the dude from the Seahawks, Travis Horner, or Homer . That guy

[dmac_bolt]

Looks like Zeke Elliott is about to be released - the Chargers should trade Ekeler before he hits the market. Granted, teams might wait and they are two different backs.

Zeke is a legitimate power back, Eke is not. he has the extra Z, makes all the difference. If Eke wants to be paid as an elite power back, we would be wise to get some trade value for him. TBD anyone really wants to pay him + pay trade cost, its day 2 (3?) and nothing yet we know of.

er: Zeke WAS a legit power back. I agree he’s losing his flare and he’s injured a lot - no way I’m suckered into signing him for LAC.