NFL Analysis Network

This Buccaneers-Chargers Trade Sends Austin Ekeler To Tampa

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the tall task of replacing future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady. Either 2021 second-round pick Kyle Trask or Baker Mayfield will be tasked with taking over the starting quarterback spot in his place.

Whoever wins the job will at least have some top-tier weapons to work with as Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are among the best wide receiver duos in the NFL. Upgrading the rest of the roster this offseason was difficult with the Buccaneers in salary cap hell.

Tampa Bay was way over the salary cap, which hindered how much maneuvering they could do in free agency. General manager Jason Licht was able to retain some key free agents, but bringing in talent proved difficult.

If the winner of the quarterback battle can play at a competent level, this is a team that could still compete in the NFC South. The Buccaneers won the division going 8-9 last season and a record right around the .500 mark would seemingly put a team in position to do it again.

One way to ensure the starting quarterback can succeed is to continue to upgrade the weapons around them. A dynamic weapon available that would provide a boost to their offense is Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler.

The chances of the Buccaneers trading for Ekeler are admittedly low. They have virtually zero cap space and in a bit of a reset, trading away draft capital likely isn’t the best ideal. However, NFL insider Matt Lombardo of Heavy.com mentioned Tampa Bay as a landing spot for Ekeler. He laid out a plan on how it could work despite some of the obstacles to overcome.

“Sure, the Buccaneers are in salary cap purgatory, currently $2.4 million over the cap, according to OverTheCap.com, and Ekeler is set to be paid $6.2 million in the final year of his deal in 2023. But, Licht and the Buccaneers could extend Ekeler, dropping his cap number in 2023, while dropping a versatile weapon into quarterback Baker Mayfield’s supporting cast.“

What could a trade between the Buccaneers and Chargers look like? Given his contract situation and the devaluing of running backs around the league, Tampa Bay could offer a fourth-round pick to Los Angeles and see if they bite.

While that doesn’t match the value Ekeler provides, the Chargers would likely be happy to receive that. It is better than nothing, which is what they would receive should he depart in free agency in 2024. They would also clear some money off their salary cap, which is a bit messy.

Even for a rebuilding team such as the Buccaneers, a fourth-round pick would be tough to say no to as the asking price for Ekeler. As Lombardo lays out, Ekeler would bring a much-needed added dimension to the Tampa Bay offense as an elite pass-catching running back.

Working out a long-term deal could be a real hold-up as the Buccaneers need to start fixing their salary cap situation, not adding to it. But, there would be no denying that Ekeler would be a big upgrade for the team’s backfield.

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