Charger News: NFL Columnist Lists Former All-Pro RB as Great Fit in LA's Backfield
The running back position has been a hot commodity all off-season long. Chargers' star running back has been at the forefront of it all, and it's been interesting to see how teams have handled their own running back.
The position is not in a great place, especially when you have great running backs that got cut out of nowhere. One of the running backs who got surprisingly cut is former All-Pro Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot.
Elliot got cut by the Cowboys in mid-March and has been searching for a team this entire time. However, time is running out as training camp is underway, and the first pre-season game for many teams is in two weeks. Time is running out for the back, but you never know which team could be calling.
One of the teams listed as a potential destination for the free agent back is your very own Los Angeles Chargers.
NFL columnist from Clutch Points DJ Foster said Elliot would thrive under his former offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles in general seems like a nice destination for Ezekiel Elliott, as he has some ties with the Chargers to explore as well. Former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is now with the Bolts, and Elliott's familiarity with his offensive system and playcalling scheme could make him a great fit for a team that has struggled to find reliable options behind Austin Ekeler.
The two star running backs would make a fearsome backfield tandem, and could even be deployed on the field together much in the same way Moore did when Elliott was paired up with Tony Pollard in the Dallas Cowboys backfield. The Chargers know better than most franchises how quickly the injury bug can hit, and reducing Ekeler's workload a bit and letting Elliott do some of the ugly short-yardage work would make a lot of sense.
The potential addition of Elliot would solve many problems for the Bolts. First, it would add RB depth, something the team hasn't had since Austin Ekeler entered stardom. Two, it would take a ton of load out of Ekeler, who has carried this offense for a long time, and this season may be the best time to give him rest. And three, he's played 103 games in his seven-year career; he is as durable as they come, and we know the Bolts struggled with durability, especially last season.
This isn't the first time Zeke has been linked to the Chargers and vice versa. The other running backs behind Ekeler could be the deciding factor on whether they pull the trigger on the ALl-Pro RB. If they don't look so well, LA could strongly consider Zeke; if they look good, they will most likely stand pat.
We'll see how things progress in the coming weeks.
