ESPN analyst thinks Kansas City Chiefs should swipe a free agency fit from an AFC West rival
The Kansas City Chiefs attracted LB Drue Tranquill from the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2023 NFL offseason and he became a Super Bowl LVIII champion. "This is way better than LA," Tranquill chanted during the team's Super Bowl parade. Could another AFC West rival follow in Tranquill's footsteps? One ESPN analyst seems to think that Kansas […]
The Kansas City Chiefs attracted LB Drue Tranquill from the Los Angeles Chargers in the 2023 NFL offseason and he became a Super Bowl LVIII champion.
"This is way better than LA," Tranquill chanted during the team's Super Bowl parade.
Could another AFC West rival follow in Tranquill's footsteps? One ESPN analyst seems to think that Kansas City would be the best fit for a pending free agent from the Chargers.
ESPN film analyst Matt Bowen was tasked with finding the best teams fits for ESPN's Top 50 free agents. He sent Chris Jones back to Kansas City and L'Jarius Sneed to an NFC East rival. He also added a veteran left tackle who could be chasing a ring in the twilight of his career.
His other choice for the reigning Super Bowl champs? That'd be none other than Chargers RB Austin Ekeler. He's been a thorn in the side of the Chiefs out in Los Angeles for his entire career, but with a new regime in place, he could look to join his former enemies in free agency.
Here's what Bowen had to say about it:
With Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon heading to free agency, the Chiefs could sign Ekeler on a short-term deal to work in rotation with Isiah Pacheco. He would give coach Andy Reid a pass-game threat out of 21 personnel with the ability to flex from the backfield. Ekeler caught 51 passes last season with the Chargers and has 440 receptions in his career. Re-signing with the Chargers or joining the Raiders would also be good fits.
How much would it cost for the Chiefs to sign Chargers RB Austin Ekeler?
According to A to Z Sports' Josh Quiepo and Kyle Dediminicantanio, Ekeler is projected to receive a one-year deal worth $4M in free agency. That's hardly a large salary commitment and it could help the team offset potential losses of Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon.
Ekeler's threat as a pass-catcher wouldn't just take some workload off of Isiah Pacheco's plate, but it could also open up the playbook a bit for Andy Reid and Matt Nagy. He could get the screen game plays that were drawn up for a player Jamaal Charles back in the day. His presence would also allow players like Deneric Prince and Keaontay Ingram to continue developing in the system.
All of that said, if McKinnon wants to return in 2024, he's coming off a one-year $1.1M deal in 2023. Edwards-Helaire might not even command $4M per year. They might save money by simply re-signing those players and keeping that continuity.
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