Is Austin Ekeler A Free Agent? Which Teams Would Be The Best Fit? Fantasy Football Outlook

NFL free agency begins this week with the legal tampering period, which opens on Monday at noon EDT. There are plenty of star free agents available, including a significant number of players with legitimate fantasy football relevance.

One such player is Austin Ekeler, who is slated to test the open market after allowing his contract with the Los Angeles Chargers to expire.

What value does Austin Ekeler provide? Which NFL teams would be the best fit for Austin Ekeler?

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Is Austin Ekeler A Free Agent?

Ekeler is an impending free agent, which means he's free to negotiate with teams at noon today and can sign a contract as early as 4 p.m. Wednesday. Some players do commit to signing their new contracts right at noon on the first day of the tampering window, but a player of Ekeler's allure can afford to wait.

Speaking of on-field contributions, Ekeler totaled 628 rushing and 426 receiving yards in 2023. He also found the end zone just six times (compared to his 38 touchdowns between 2021 and 2022). On a more concerning note, he did seem to lose some speed, especially later in the season.

Spotrac projects that Ekeler is worth a three-year deal at $22.4 million total.

Big boost for the Texans, with an elite RB with Ekeler they might be a dark horse to win the afc pic.twitter.com/JfbCb8y0pg https://t.co/DxKE2Hd7gx

— A (@SFRUINEDMYLIFE) March 10, 2024

Which Teams Would Be The Best Fit For Austin Ekeler?

• Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers are mentioned here purely because Ekeler has spent his entire career with them. A reunion wouldn't be shocking, but it also feels like the two sides are headed for a natural divorce this offseason.
• Minnesota Vikings: The Vikings feel like a natural landing spot after releasing Alexander Mattison. Minnesota struggled to get production out of its weak backfield last season and could look to pair a versatile veteran like Ekeler with their next quarterback.
• Philadelphia Eagles: Ekeler isn't a top-tier running back anymore, but the Eagles aren't exactly looking for top-tier production at the position. Much like D'Andre Swift, Ekeler is capable of running the ball and catching passes. Plus, his veteran status makes him a great target for a contender like Philadelphia.
• Dallas Cowboys: Elsewhere in the NFC East, the Cowboys are in the market for a new running back with Tony Pollard expected to hit free agency. The Cowboys' best bet is to re-sign Pollard, but if that doesn't happen, Dallas is primed to make a run at someone like Ekeler.
• Houston Texans: Could Ekeler be the missing piece in Houston? Dameon Pierce hasn't nearly lived up to his hype, and he operates best as a physical, short-yardage option anyway. Ekeler is quite the opposite, working to stretch the field with his receiving skills and dynamic playing style.

Should the #Eagles go for Austin Ekeler in free agency? 👀 pic.twitter.com/H85s8p8NZp

— A to Z Sports Philly (@AtoZPhilly) March 6, 2024

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