Chargers news: Austin Ekeler trade update, Eric Kendricks contract details revealed, new rule proposal

The crazy part of the NFL offseason is officially upon us and it has already been wild for the LA Chargers. In addition to the team bringing in Eric Kendricks on Monday, there is plenty of speculation swirling around the team.

Most of that speculation is around Austin Ekeler, who requested permission to seek out a trade after the two sides could not agree on a contract extension. There are several potential suitors for Ekeler, making his trade market one of the most interesting.

There is a new update on the Ekeler trade front on Tuesday, as well as some other Chargers news that may have flown under the radar.

Chargers news roundup:

• The Chargers granted Austin Ekeler permission to seek out a trade on Tuesday after the two sides failed to make progress on said extension. This all but confirms that the Bolts would be willing to do an Ekeler trade if the situation is right but nothing is a guarantee. Ekeler and the Bolts would have to find a team that is willing to trade for him and offer him an extension, as that is the entire hang-up in the first place.
• The contract details for Eric Kendricks have been announced. Kendricks is getting a two-year, contract worth $13.25 million. That is likely slightly less annually than what Drue Tranquill will get and should give the team a lot of flexibility (with a small dead cap hit) next year if they want to move on from the veteran linebacker.
• The Chargers proposed a rule change that would give a wild card team home-field advantage in round one if they are four wins better than the third-seeded division winner, who has to be under .500 for this to apply. Many Jaguars fans started clowning the Chargers for proposing this rule even though it did not apply to the AFC Wild Card game. It did, however, apply to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore's NFC Wild Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year.

NFL news roundup:

• Aaron Rodgers has not yet made his decision on where he will play next season (if at all) but all signs seem to be pointing to the New York Jets, who have started showing reported interest in several of Rodgers' former teammates from Green Bay.
• The Las Vegas Raiders have made several additions in the first two days of the legal tampering window. After signing Jimmy Garoppolo in a hilarious move, Vegas also signed safety Marcus Epps and wide receiver Jakobi Meyers.
• The New Orleans Saints are reportedly expected to retain wide receiver Michael Thomas in 2023 by giving him an incentive-laden deal. Injuries have derailed Thomas' career after a historic 2019 season.

MUST-READ: Ranking Justin Herbert and the top 32 QBs in the NFL