NFL rumors: MVP-winning QB staging ’23 comeback, Belichick successor, and more
By Josh Wilson
The NFL rumor mill is still spinning even as free agency slows down a bit. Today we have news that could shake up the quarterback and coaching landscape.
The latest in NFL rumors indicates the league’s period of changing eras is not going to slow down anytime soon. There could be a Patriots change at head coach for the first time in over two decades on the horizon, and we now know who the franchise thinks should take the helm once it’s time.
Despite that dramatic modernization, one MVP-winning quarterback from the previous era is determined to take his last shot at success in the NFL.
Let’s get into all the latest rumors, starting with a running back who could be swapping teams in the next year or so…
NFL rumors: Austin Ekeler makes it clear he’s disgruntled
Austin Ekeler definitely contradicted himself when talking about his role on the Los Angeles Chargers. While the running back said he’s enjoying being on the team, he made it abundantly clear that he believes he’s underpaid relative to his contributions and only wants to stay, “if it was under the right [financial] circumstances.”
Here’s what he said on Chris Long’s podcast, H/T NFL.com:
"“I think it’s really important to put it out there that it’s not like, ‘Oh, I hate the Chargers and I need to get out of this organization, and I need to leave,'” he said. “That couldn’t be further from the truth. I would like to stay if it was under the right circumstances…. Obviously, I have one more year on my contract there, so I’m contractually obligated to play for them for this upcoming year. So, we’re in a situation where it’s like, look, we have no guarantees or anything like that this year, so kind of in a spot where I’ve been outplaying my contract, and we might have an opportunity to go seek out other options that can bring me up.”"
These comments position Ekeler as a possible trade piece at the deadline in 2023, and a major free agent to watch next offseason as well.
Ekeler is about to enter his seventh year in the league, all with the Chargers. He wants a big contract, but the prospect of paying out top dollar to the position most at-risk to milage concerns when he’s closer to the decade mark than his rookie year is a bit scary. Just look at what has happened to Ezekiel Elliott in the last few seasons…
Ekeler only has 811 rushing attempts under his belt, though. After six years, Elliott had more than double that. There’s tread left on Ekeler’s tires to be sure.