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3 Austin Ekeler landing spots if Chargers trade the star running back

By Sayre Bedinger

Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) during the first quarter of a wild card game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2023; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) is tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) during the first quarter of a wild card game at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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Austin Ekeler
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – FEBRUARY 28: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos speaks to the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center on February 28, 2023 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

3. Denver Broncos

Okay, yes — we get it. In-division trades are extremely rare if not bordering on ridiculous to even suggest. Why would the Los Angeles Chargers send Austin Ekeler to the Denver Broncos and let him try to beat them twice a year?

I would have thought this idea was extremely ridiculous as well before the barrage of in-division trades we saw between teams like the Lions, Vikings, and Packers last offseason. It was odd, to say the least, but as Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah talked about at the Scouting Combine, you can have in-division trades that are beneficial for both teams, obviously.

Perhaps the Broncos and Chargers could find some common ground here.

First of all, Joe Lombardi is the Denver Broncos’ “offensive coordinator”, at least in title (Sean Payton is the true OC), and was also the offensive coordinator for the Chargers the last two years when Ekeler put up the crazy numbers we mentioned before. Second, Sean Payton has historically done a tremendous job of getting his backs involved in the passing game. You can look at guys like Alving Kamara and Darren Sproles as prime examples of that.

Further, the Broncos have an issue right now with the injury status of Javonte Williams. Is he going to be healthy this season? That’s what they’ve stated publicly, but Williams’ injury was pretty bad.

Given the fact that Ekeler also played his college ball in the state of Colorado (Western State), it wouldn’t be out of the question to see a “homecoming” of sorts here. Ekeler is the type of back that has really excelled under Sean Payton and the Broncos don’t currently have that.

Perhaps if they were willing to part with the correct NFL Draft capital, the Chargers would relent and let Ekeler go to a division rival.

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