Top Free Agent RB Could Sign with Chargers as Austin Ekeler Replacement

LA could serve as a place of rebirth for him.

Austin Ekeler continues to hold the Los Angeles Chargers hostage in a sense while his future with the team remains unknown. As the 2023 draft creeps up, it looks more likely that he will ultimately return for this season on his current contract but the NFL world has proven to bring surprises when we least expect. Do not be surprised if Ekeler gets traded in the coming weeks.

Then the biggest question is: How can the Chargers replace someone who not only led the league in his position at touchdowns with 18 but also did the same at yards off of receptions with 822?

There are elite options coming from college such as Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs but it's looking unlikely that they will still be available when the Chargers pick at number 21. Therefore, the attention should turn to the remaining free agents and Kareem Hunt is at the top of that list.

Sometimes I forget how cold Kareem Hunt was in KC lmao pic.twitter.com/CBnFwgN8ZV

— Braiden Turner (@bturner23) October 5, 2022

Even though Hunt is nowhere near the level that he was at during his time with the Kansas City Chiefs or even his 2020 production, he still has all the capabilities to be a difference-maker for a competing squad.

Pro Football Network has listed the Chargers as one of the best landing spots for Hunt.

"Hunt has shown, both in Kansas City and in Cleveland, that he can be a very dynamic running back and is a weapon out of the backfield, though nowhere near the level of Ekeler. With that said, only Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara can claim to be on par with him as a receiving back. Hunt would be a far more cap-friendly option for the Chargers, who still need work on their roster to compete with the defending Super Bowl Champion Chiefs." (Via Pro Football Network)

Hunt has yet to find a team so we'll see what happens.