Eagles Trade for RB Austin Ekeler Proposed by Media; Easier than Bijan Robinson?

Here's the media suggestion of Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers being acquired by the Eagles. NFL Analysis wonders, "What could a trade between the Eagles and Chargers centered around Ekeler look like?''

Any conversation about the Philadelphia Eagles wishing to add a high-profile running back right about this NFL Draft this should we think be informed by our astute analyst John McMullen, who suggests that the Jalen Hurts-led offense calls for a "plus-one'' at running back - and therefore doesn't necessarily require the use of expensive capital to get the job done.

McMullen is referring specifically to the notion of Philly making a first-round draft move for Texas star Bijan Robinson, and specifically to the errant reports that the Eagles have cemented a trade for Titans star Derrick Henry.

But as logical as McMullen's take is - with predictions for the Eagles at No. 10 in this draft but no promises - the media suggestions for ways to replace the departed Miles Sanders (via free agency to Carolina) while getting better than Rashaad Penny (signed here from Seattle) are everywhere.

And along comes the media suggestion of Austin Ekeler of the Los Angeles Chargers being acquired by the Eagles. NFL Analysis wonders, "What could a trade between the Eagles and Chargers centered around Ekeler look like?'' ... and says, "Philadelphia can offer a third-, a fifth- and a future second-round pick ... in exchange for Ekeler.

We'll be frank: That seems excessive, especially as while the most attractive thing about Ekeler (beyond his substantially all-purpose talent) is the fact that he makes only $6.5 million this year. Ah, but there's the rub.

Why do observers figure Ekeler is unhappy with the Chargers and wants out of L.A.? It's not that the Charges can't be contenders; they can. It's not that he dislikes the weather in SoCal; he doesn't.

It's that he wants a new and pricy contract ... and probably "deserves'' one. And that's the part of the "plus-one'' that doesn't fit. McMullen's concept, extended, isn't just about how the running back in this offense is a supplementary guy - it's also about not overpaying a supplementary guy. And Ekeler at $6.5 million is going to be just as unhappy in Philly as he is in L.A. ... while the Chargers, with their thumb on him, are contenders with him - reason enough to keep that thumb right where it is.

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