Should Bengals consider trade with Chargers for RB Austin Ekeler?

The Cincinnati Bengals figure to add at least one more running back this offseason with Austin Ekeler a longshot — but interesting — option.

Ekeler has received permission to seek a trade from the Los Angeles Chargers amid a disagreement between the two parties over his pay.

Naturally, the Bengals have been listed as a fit for Ekeler, at least from an on-field standpoint. He’s an excellent receiving back who has 100-plus targets in two seasons and 50-plus five seasons in a row. Still 27 years old, he’s led the league in touchdowns from scrimmage over the last two seasons with 38.

Another look at why it fits so well:

Bengals would be the top landing spot for Austin Ekeler if they move on from Mixon.

– Ekeler’s best run concept has been man the last 3 seasons. 38% first down/TD rate.
– CIN used man run concepts 33% of the time last season, 2nd most.
– CIN 3rd most targets to HBs last season

— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) March 13, 2023

Despite the no-brainer fit in the offense, the Bengals would trade for Ekeler and his $7 million cap hit in the process on top of his wanting a new, bigger contract, making it tough from the business side. That’s even taking into account the $10 million the Bengals would save by making Joe Mixon a post-June 1 cut.

The hurdles on the business side make this a not-great idea for a Bengals team that needs to focus on extensions for Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins and Logan Wilson, to name a few. But…fans probably thought that before the signing of Orlando Brown Jr., too.

Ekeler would be a win-now move that improves the offense in a big way, though it would be a Brown-level surprise given how unrealistic it seems at this juncture. Still, it’s not hard to see why fans have clamored for the idea online.