ESPN predicts Chargers will lose out on former All-Pro to Cowboys

The LA Chargers have set most of the 2023 roster in place. Los Angeles was able to retain its most important free agents while also putting together a solid draft class in order to build a deeper roster for the 2023 season.

While most of the roster is set in place, there are still areas that the Chargers can address before the start of the 2023 season. It is not uncommon for teams to make late additions in the offseason and with extra spending money, the Chargers could be simply waiting to make a move.

One move that seems to make sense is signing former Pro Bowl and All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott. While Elliott is not in his prime, he has ties to offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and would be an insurance option for Austin Ekeler. Plus, it is not like he would come at a premium price, so the Chargers don't have to worry about that.

While Zeke may make sense for those reasons, those plugged into the league do not think he is heading to the Chargers. In fact, ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently predicted that Elliott would eventually end up re-signing with the Dallas Cowboys.

"For a Cowboys team that already had plenty of hesitation about featuring Pollard for more than 30 snaps per game, bringing back Elliott on a cheaper deal would provide security at one of the team's thinnest positions. Pollard is still recovering from the fractured left fibula he suffered during the postseason, so if the Cowboys don't want to rush him back into the lineup in September' Elliott's ability to pass protect and run effectively between the tackles would be a plus for coach Mike McCarthy. "

Chargers fans should hope that Ezekiel Elliott doesn't return to the Cowboys

There are a lot of Chargers fans that would scoff at the idea of the team signing Ezekiel Elliott. He is undoubtedly past his prime and for the last few seasons, he was viewed as an overrated quarterback because his price did not match the production that he was outputting.

But the Chargers wouldn't be signing Elliott for that price. They would theoretically be bringing him in on a much cheaper deal that would not hinder the team financially. LA would get the added bonus of Elliott's experience in Moore's defense and even if he was a supplemental back, it would be worth it.

There are a lot of question marks in the running back room for the 2023 season and there is no such thing as too much depth. Of the depth options remaining, Elliott is by far the best. Sure, he might not be in his prime any longer but it is not like he is so far over the hill that he cannot recover.

Heck, Elliott is younger than Ekeler. Sure, it might only be by a few months, but there is this perception that Elliott is ancient and Ekeler still has something to offer the team.

Elliott's market seems to be drying up and if he does not return to Dallas then the next best place for him to play would be Los Angeles. Chargers fans may not love it at first but it is certainly worth the low-risk flier.

MUST-READ: Predicting the outcome of every Chargers game in 2023