Not much has developed on the Austin Ekeler front since the running back requested permission to seek out a trade. The 2023 NFL Draft was likely the main stalling factor as teams were not going to trade a pick in this year's draft for a veteran running back without at least seeing how the draft panned out.
Now, with the draft in the rearview, an Ekeler trade is more likely. It still is not guaranteed to happen because of Ekeler's contract demands but it is more likely after the draft. Teams will be more willing to trade future picks and there are several teams that did not land a prominent RB in the draft.
The first domino fell when the Philadelphia Eagles traded for DeAndre Swift. A similar domino could call if the Bolts find a trade they cannot say no to and have an Ekeler contingency plan. An Ekeler trade still isn't the most likely outcome for the Bolts this offseason because of all the external factors. But it definitely is possible.
3 teams that the Chargers could possibly trade Austin Ekeler to following the 2023 NFL Draft:
3. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys were viewed as a dark horse team for Bijan Robinson if he fell that far with Jahmyr Gibbs seeming like a possibility to replace Ezekiel Elliott. However, when Gibbs was taken much earlier than expected it didn't leave Dallas with many options.
The team did take Deuce Vaughn in the sixth round of the draft but he is not going to be able to come in and be the RB2 right away. Thus, outside of Tony Pollard, the next best option for the Cowboys is Malik Davis or Ronald Jones.
It is more than clear that Jerry Jones is desperate to win a Super Bowl and that Mike McCarthy might be on the hot seat this season. For that reason, both parties have the motivation to go out and make a bold move and trade for a rental in Ekeler.
This would give the team a dynamic running back duo once more with Ekeler and Pollard and in a wide-open NFC, that offensive firepower could be enough to make a deep run. That is what the Cowboys would be selling themselves on, at least.
Potential Austin Ekeler trade partner: 2. Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have a running back situation of their own this offseason. It is unclear if Joe Mixon is going to play for the Bengals this upcoming season. While head coach Zac Taylor has come out in support of Mixon, these situations could fall apart quickly and the front office could look to replace him with another option.
The Bengals did draft Chase Brown in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft and the team has depth at the running back position to stay afloat without Mixon. But if the Bengals want to have as dynamic of an offense next season then they should look to replace him with someone like Ekeler.
In fact, there is even more of a reason to want Ekeler as the Bengals lose Samaje Perine this offseason. Perine was the team's best receiving back last season and Ekeler is a rich man's version of Perine. If you add Ekeler to that offense with Joe Burrow's quick-strike throws the Bengals could do something special.
Of course, that would mean helping out a potential AFC contender that the Chargers may have to play in the playoffs. But if Cincinnati is willing to pay a premium price for Ekeler then the Chargers have to do what is best for the team.
Again, it all hinges on what happens with Mixon. If he is on the team and gets a new deal then Ekeler would never be a fit for the Bengals.
Potential Austin Ekeler trade partner: 1. LA Rams
If there is one team that loves to make bold moves and is not afraid to take on a rental to help their chances of winning football games it is the LA Rams. And regardless of how bad last season was, this is a team that views itself as a playoff contender next season.
The Rams still should be taken seriously when they are healthy. They are by no means the same team they were two seasons ago but they still have star power on both sides of the ball and one of the best head coaches in the sport. Plus, they now have an easier schedule as the third-place team in the NFC West last season.
The Rams are 1-2 offensive pieces away from having a really exciting group of players on that side of the ball and Ekeler could be the missing link. McVay loves his star running backs and things haven't necessarily gone well with Cam Akers.
Perhaps a swap would benefit both parties with the Chargers getting the younger and cheaper option and the Rams getting the better option to try and make a run toward the Super Bowl again. If that does not happen, Les Snead has shown that he is not afraid to trade picks for star players.
If Matthew Stafford can be 90% of what he was two seasons ago then the Rams offense can be special. He will have the best check-down option in the league in Ekeler with the best receiver in the league in Cooper Kupp.
Sure, there is not much else there, but those two players alone would make a world of difference for the Rams next season. The Rams know that and that is why they should be considered the favorites to trade for Ekeler if a deal actually does happen.