NFL rumors: 3 teams that need to free Austin Ekeler from Chargers

Teams that need to free Austin Ekeler from the Chargers: Chicago Bears

Earlier in the offseason, the Bears saw former starting running back David Montgomery sign with a divisional foe, the Detroit Lions. Chicago went out and signed free agent running back D’Onta Foreman to take Montgomery’s place, although Khalil Herbert will likely step in as the primary back ahead of Foreman.

Both Foreman and Herbert are capable backs, but Ekeler is on another level. There is only one other back who you could argue as being more well-rounded in both the run game and passing game, and that’s Christian McCaffrey. Otherwise, Ekeler is as good as it gets, and the guy finds the end zone.

Chicago has wanted to do everything it can to surround Justin Fields with talent going into Ryan Poles’ second year as general manager, and adding a guy like Ekeler to go with the already-added D.J. Moore would be one heck of a way to cap off the primary free agency period.

If the Bears could head into the 2023 NFL Draft with Moore, Ekeler, Foreman, Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool and Cole Kmet surrounding Fields, it would truly give them the most flexibility they could ask for. Then, focusing on the trenches would be the easiest and most sensible route for their draft plans.