Much like the rest of the team, the Los Angeles Chargers running backs are going to be facing a lot of change this offseason. The team will be set to go into the offseason with no clear starting running back, and likely not a clear RB2 either. In short, the incoming new coach/GM regime will likely be starting with nearly a clean slate at the position.
2024 Chargers Offseason Preview: Running Backs
(Likely) Outgoing Free Agents: Austin Ekeler, Joshua Kelley
Austin Ekeler had a quite disappointing season in the final year of his contract, just after trying (and failing) to negotiate for a bigger payday. This past season did not do that argument any favors. After a 100-yard game in Week 1, it went downhill from there and he averaged a mere 3.5 yards per carry, barely got 1,000 yards from scrimmage (after getting over 1,500 the previous two years), and had only six touchdowns. Ekeler has outright said he’s not coming back, but even if he wanted to, the Chargers might not be interested anyway after a heavily underwhelming year and the price tag he would want.
Joshua Kelley actually somehow averaged more yards per carry than Ekeler this year (3.8), but he’s still only an RB2 at best. When given a starting opportunity for a few games, he struggled and didn’t exceed 65 yards. He actually had two games with more yards than that as a backup, indicating that he is better off as a change-of-pace back. Still, given that he had virtually no usage in the final three games with Giff Smith as the coach – and that he was a product of the Telesco era – the Chargers are unlikely to bring him back unless they’re hurting for bodies at halfback (which is within the realm of possibility).
Isaiah Spiller
Incredibly enough, the Chargers were playing most of the season with just Ekeler, Kelley, and then Spiller… and that is it. Spiller’s the only one of those three still under contract. And given that he has averaged 2.5 yards per carry in his two-year career (2.6 this past season), being under contract might be the only reason the Chargers keep him around. That, and maybe the hope that he’ll still show something in Year 3.
At any rate, he has shown next to nothing in two years. One might point to the lack of carries – he only had 37 all year – but the lack of anything he did with them is part of why. It is telling that he got virtually no carries during the meaningless final three games of the season. Considering all of that, being RB3 again next year would be the best-case scenario for him. If the team manages to whip up enough new faces in the offseason, Spiller could end up getting cut.
Others: Elijah Dotson, Jaret Patterson
The Chargers retained two running backs that had been on the practice squad by way of reserve/future contracts. Elijah Dotson was a preseason darling last year but ultimately didn’t pan out in the regular season. He only got touches in one game and was on the active roster for four games before getting relegated to the practice squad. His chances of upgrading from that are dependent on how many new faces get added in the offseason, but the chances are not high.
Jaret Patterson was signed to the Chargers practice squad during the 2023 season and never was upgraded to the active roster. However, he did have a history before that with the Washington Commanders in 2021 and 2022. Through his time with them, he averaged 4.0 yards per carry and scored two touchdowns. Ultimately he got buried on that depth chart and has been a practice squad guy ever since. Being undersized (5’8, 195 lbs) may not have helped matters. That said, he actually does have some history of results – even if small – more than Spiller or Dotson. Watch for him to be possibly in the mix for a roster spot next season.
The Outside Options
Inevitably, there are going to be some new faces coming to the Chargers running back corps this offseason. It seems reasonable to expect at least two – with Ekeler and likely Kelley both gone. Even if Spiller and Patterson (or even Dotson) take roster spots, that’s still two vacant spots up for grabs. It is probably fair to assume that there will be at least one free agent signed and at least one rookie drafted. Given that they already have cap issues, they probably won’t be going after a high-price halfback. Incoming free agents that could be had for cheaper and could be part of a solid running back committee (which is what they will likely have barring someone really standing out) include Gus Edwards, Devin Singletary, D’Onta Foreman, and Antonio Gibson, just to name a few.
As for the Draft, there isn’t anyone projected to go higher than the second round – and given that the Chargers have higher-priority needs, they could easily end up waiting until the third round. Still, even then, some of the top running backs in the Draft may still be available by then – such as Blake Corum, Jonathon Brooks, and Bucky Irving, just to name a few. Whoever it is, the new GM will have to break the streak of Chargers halfback busts in the Draft.
In Conclusion
As one can see, there will be plenty of changes coming to this position and depth chart next year. Both the RB1 and RB2 will likely be new – and unless one of them stands out, will be sharing carries more evenly than what we saw as of late. The question is if any undrafted free agents will break out – or if there will be any other small pickups elsewhere to round out the depth chart. If not, Spiller and/or Patterson will fill those roles. Regardless, hopefully the new coach/GM/staff will choose wisely – and also utilize wisely.
Main Photo: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
