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I’m firmly within the nook of you must by no means pay a operating again for all of the cliche arguments that go together with it. However there are exceptions to each rule, like when a operating again is extra receiver than Derrick Henry. Quarterbacks love having outlet guys on their staff, and like you can argue that in 2022 Austin Ekeler was to Justin Herbert what Travis Kelce is to Patrick Mahomes.
That’s why the information that Los Angeles is, predictably, letting Ekeler seek a trade as a result of their proprietor is a infamous cheapskate who San Diegans hate like J. Jonah Jameson hates Spider-Man. Like their views relating to poor folks generally, Los Angelenos are apathetic to Dean Spanos, in order that they don’t actually have an opinion on the Chargers both.
Having stated that, I care about Herbert as a result of it’s extra enjoyable when proficient quarterbacks aren’t mired on piss-poor groups.
Ekeler is a QB’s finest buddy
The seven-year professional led the NFL in receptions by a operating again in 2022, catching 107 balls, 22 greater than the subsequent closest man (Christian McCaffrey, 85). The Chargers restructured Keenan Allen’s deal final week, and for what? So they may commerce the quarterback’s favourite goal? Mike Williams led the staff in yards — which is why it was so tragic when he bought harm in meaningless motion on the finish of the yr, and cause No. 628 why Brandon Staley must be fired* — however Ekeler had 44 extra grabs than him and 35 greater than the subsequent closest Bolt.
(*Staley nonetheless has a job as a result of Spanos is simply too low cost to fireside him.)
Justin Herbert is the principle cause specialists are optimistic about Chargers soccer. That’s it. They’ve some good, often nice talent guys, and Ekeler has confirmed to be nice since he’s taken on the No. 1 function. There are well being considerations, certain, however he solely had 204 carries a yr in the past, good for twentieth within the league.
If you’d like your franchise quarterback to belief the group and develop inside it, it actually helps to maintain his emergency outlet. Ekeler’s worth is nearly as essential within the air as it’s on the bottom, and subsequently he is likely to be undervalued just because he’s not on the wideout market.
I wrote a column within the preseason predicting Ekeler would fall off as a result of one of many consensus top five fantasy running backs always does**. He had his most yards from scrimmage as a professional. (My dangerous.) Pay that man (Ekeler) his money.
(**Jonathan Taylor was your prime 5 lemon.)
At any time when Herbert wanted to get again to 3rd and manageable, or convert third and manageable, he at all times appeared Ekeler’s manner. It’s a particular bond between quarterback and receiver, one which I’m struggling to provide you with a metaphor for. So, umm, go fuck your self, San Diego?
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