Chargers News: Anonymous Executive Downplays Austin Ekeler's Impact and Elite Status
Although the Los Angeles Chargers have experienced a ton of bad luck on their side throughout their existence, they have experienced some great things come their way.
Sure, the bad outweighs the good sometimes, but one of the goods that have come their way in the last decade is running back Austin Ekeler.
The Chargers snagged Ekeler as an undrafted free agent in 2017, and has established himself as one of the best backs in the league today. The emergence of Ekeler came out of left field, but it's one of the best things to happen to the Bolts.
Ekeler, although skilled and great at what he does, is undersized but has defied the odds regardless of statue. Because of this, he's gotten a lot of slack and people who doubt him throughout his career, and even though he's shut down those arguments, they don't believe to this day.
ESPN senior national reporter Jeremy Fowler spoke to executives, coaches, and scouts to rank the top 10 running backs in the league going into the season, and Ekeler cracked the list, barely, placing him at number 10.
Even after all the yards racked up and touchdowns, people still don't view him as a top back. On top of that, one executive downplayed Ekeler's play, saying he's not 'elite' nor an impact player.
"Really explosive player, runs tougher than you'd think for his size, exceptional in the passing game. My only concern with him is pass protection," a veteran NFL assistant coach said.
"Don't see an elite or major impact player -- more of a 1-2 punch niche guy alongside a big power back," an NFL personnel executive said.
For some reason, the disrespect keeps on coming Ekeler's way. It's crazy to think after the two seasons he's coming off of, people in the football realm don't think he's among the best of the best.
Running backs in front of Ekeler are Jonathan Taylor, Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook, and Tony Pollard. None of them have had the seasons Ekeler has just gone through.
He's racked up 3,195 total scrimmage yards and 38 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Although he's never eclipsed 1K rushing yards, he is so versatile that the Chargers don't just use him as a guy in the backfield.
People have their opinions, and that's fine, but to not say he's elite or impactful is not factual. He'll continue to prove the naysayers wrong, and we cannot wait to see it.
