NFL Writer Ponders if Isaiah Spiller Could Step Up as Chargers' RB2 in 2023

What kind of a role, if any, could the second year back play?

There is this sense of new hope and energy coming for the Chargers, and that says a lot considering how their 2022 season ended. Nonetheless, all that is behind them, and they are looking to showcase their talents this upcoming season. Although it won't be easy, they have all the tools to overcome their hump and show they are a contender. 

While the Chargers have a steady team, there are some minor question marks, like who will be their RB2 in 2023? Chargers RB1 Austin Ekeler will play that role after the trade drama that overtook LA until last month. He will be back with the squad, and we'll see if he can duplicate these past two seasons once again. Will he get some help this time, though? We must wait and see, but NFL columnist Will Noltie believes second-year back Isaiah Spiller can fill that role and be a competent backup to their 27-year-old star. 

The skillset we saw from him coming out of college would seem more conducive to a change-of-pace back than Kelley, but it still seems bold to hang a lot of your hopes on him breaking out with little in the way of a backup plan. Nevertheless, perhaps Moore and the rest of the revamped offensive coaching staff will be able to bring out the best in him.

(Via Last Word on Sports)

Spiller was taken in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Texas A&M. The 21-year-old was in a limited role as he only played in six games rushing for 41 yards in 18 attempts. Spiller had trouble fitting into his first year in the league, and he and the coaching staff hopes that changes.

Ekeler is used to taking the toll, but in a year in which he'd like to preserve his body a bit, Spiller is a likely candidate to be the RB2 behind Ekeler. Don't be surprised if we see an uptick in Isaiah's game, and we can't wait to see how he does after a year under his belt.