2. Austin Ekeler, the scorned running back looking for revenge
It’s gotten to the point where Austin Ekeler might just hate this team enough to ball out this season so he can hit the road with the highest value.
I’m here for it so long as it helps this Chargers run game, which was painfully anemic last year.
There are a few moments in recent Chargers memory that stick with me. One of them is the rushing performance against Jacksonville this past January. Had the run game averaged better than 2.9 yards per carry with negative yards in the second half, perhaps the Bolts could’ve staved off the ensuing Jags comeback. For an offense designed to play "small ball" and milk the clock, you would've thought the run game could manage to keep the Jags off the field in that second half.
Ekeler has really made a name for himself this offseason in his dissatisfaction with the Chargers organization and the state of the running back market as a whole. This is his year to prove he’s worth all the money he believes he is.
If he does, then we’re in great position to make amends for last season’s ending.