Austin Ekeler among free agent running back options for the Chiefs

The Pricier Options

If the new CBA gets passed, it is being reported that the cap limit may jump to 240 million dollars in 2021. That opens the door for those long term deals to get done next season and the Chiefs to pick up some valuable assets without having to make any major cuts. So why not spend that money on the running back and add another piece to an already explosive offense.

Derrick Henry

Of the free agent running backs hitting free agency, none stand above the 2019 rushing title holder and scorn of the Kansas City Chiefs, Derrick Henry. If you can’t beat him, pay him a ton of money to have him come in and run opponents over. With a heavy hitter running back like Henry, defenses will have absolutely no way to stop the Chiefs offense, as defenses already have a tough time keeping enough defenders in the box.

Henry is valued by Over the Cap at approximately $9.72 million dollars annually. Could the Chiefs afford that contract? With the correct cuts, some proper contract restructuring, and a new CBA, yes. It would take some significant work from Brett Veach and his cap staff, but his addition to the offense would be incredible.

Austin Ekeler

Henry is not the only free agent on the market with some experience against the Chiefs, with the Los Angeles Chargers’ tandem of Austin Ekeler and Melvin Gordon also set to become free agents this offseason.

The Chargers can manage to hold onto both players, getting Gordon a new contract and using the franchise tag on Ekeler, but the Chargers have some bigger needs than running backs right now. The Chargers could be set to spend some big money on a quarterback this offseason, with Teddy Bridgewater and Tom Brady being linked to city of L.A.

Thanks to his holdout and the Chargers’ “success” during that period, Gordon is the cheaper of the two options, with Over the Cap valuing him at $3 million dollars. This would result in Ekeler walking into free agency, where he will probably be fiercely pursued and the Chiefs should get in on that conversation.

Over The Cap values Austin Ekeler at an unrealistic $11.59 million dollars which absolutely no team in the NFL should be willing to pay. Ekeler and his agent should be shooting for $9 million at the highest, but realistically be willing to settle at $8 to $7.5 million annually with a decent amount of guaranteed money. That is a price that teams will be willing to work with, and a price that will get Ekeler the money he deserves.

That is also a price that the Chiefs could make room for. With a favorable restructuring of Sammy Watkins contract, the Chiefs could easily make just enough room for Ekeler’s new contract and Williams third year option giving the Chiefs offense more options and the ability to keep both players healthier all season long.