LA Chargers: 3 offensive free agents that could still help LA
By Jason Reed
1. Todd Gurley
Todd Gurley’s return to Los Angeles is a narrative that I can get behind. Now I know what you are thinking, ‘Todd Gurley is not even close to being the same running back he was with the Los Angeles Rams!’
That is true, but the LA Chargers know that and the rest of the NFL knows that. Gurley’s market price is going to be extremely low and the Chargers could sign an over-qualified rotational back for relatively cheap.
With Justin Jackson’s injury history and Joshua Kelley being terrible last season it is no secret that the Chargers should look to add at least one back to the roster. Many think that will come via the 2021 NFL Draft, but instead of spending a late-round pick on someone, perhaps the Chargers bring in a player who can step up and be the featured back if Austin Ekeler gets hurt again.
A 1-2 punch of Ekeler (who would still be the RB1) and Gurley would be extremely fun to watch. Both guys are dangerous in both areas of the game and Gurley could really be maximized as a playmaker alongside Justin Herbert.
Spotrac estimates that Gurley will get a $5.5 million salary for the 2021 season. However, Spotrac also estimated that Phillip Lindsay would get close to $8 million and he got $3.25 million, so it is clear that the market is not as rich as it appeared.
Signing Gurley for $3.5 million or less would be huge for the Chargers and would be a fun gamble for such a low risk. Even though he is not prime Gurley, he is still someone who rushed for nine touchdowns last season.
And as we saw with Leonard Fournette in the NFL Playoffs, it can be valuable having that running back depth when the games matter the most.