3 free-agent do-overs for the LA Chargers from 2023
By Jason Reed
Chargers free-agent do-over No. 2: Sign one of the talented, cheap running backs
There was a moment in time in which fans had no idea who would be the starting running back for the LA Chargers. Austin Ekeler's future with the team was unclear and there isn't anyone behind him that jumps off the page as RB1 material.
Ultimately, the running back market wasn't what Ekeler thought it was going to be and he ended up staying with the Chargers. The Bolts did him the favor of giving him incentives to earn more in 2023, which the team did not have to do.
Even with Ekeler returning, there are question marks around the running back room. Joshua Kelley was solid last season but is not impactful in the passing game and struggles to stay healthy. Isaiah Spiller could be the x-factor that ties the position altogether but he also could amount to nothing in 2023.
No matter which way you spin it, the Chargers would have benefitted from signing one of the talented running backs that were available for cheap during the initial wave of free agency. The current options of Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook may not totally make sense but there were some great options back in March.
Damien Harris signed a one-year, $1.7 million contract, Rashaad Penny signed for $1.35 million, D'Onta Foreman signed for $2 million. Any of those options would have been great for the Chargers and would not have broken the bank.