Chargers won't sign Ezekiel Elliott because of this AFC foe
By Jason Reed
While the LA Chargers are dealing with a running back situation of their own with Austin Ekeler, the speculation around Ezekiel Elliott's next team continues.
With Ekeler's future in Los Angeles unclear, the Chargers have naturally become a favorite prediction for Elliott's next team. Not only do the Chargers have a dynamic offense that Elliott would thrive in but the Bolts just hired former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore for the same job in LA.
All of those signs are pointing Elliott towards LA and the speculation around him joining the Bolts has been growing in recent days. Despite all of the signs that might be foreshadowing Elliott to LA, there is an obvious AFC team that will likely land Elliott before the Bolts have a chance.
Bengals will more than likely keep Ezekiel Elliott from joining Chargers.
All the connections that are seemingly tying Elliott to the Chargers exist more prominently with the Bengals and Elliott. Earlier this offseason, it was reported that the Bengals were on Elliott's shortlist of teams that he wanted to play for next season (and were the only team that really made any sense).
Interest is a two-way street and there seems to be legitimate interest in Elliott on the Bengals' side of things. Joe Mixon's future in Cincinnati is incredibly unclear and the team also lost Samaje Perine this offseason.
As a result, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler tabbed the Bengals as the frontrunners to sign the former All-Pro running back this offseason. Nothing is guaranteed but it would be shocking if Elliott wasn't lined up next to Joe Burrow in 2023.
While Elliott is a big name that has been atop the NFL in the past, the Chargers are not missing out on much if they do not land him. There is no guarantee that Ekeler will be off the team in 2023 and there is a very real chance that Elliott is not needed in Los Angeles.
And if Ekeler isn't on the team, the Chargers are probably better off giving snaps to a young running back that could be an integral part of the future.