NFL Free Agency Predictions: Where Will Austin Ekeler Play Next Season?

Author ImageAuthor: | Last Updated: March 2024
nfl free agency austin ekeler

The early part of the offseason is full of player movement, and our NFL free agency predictions are here to help. Our free picks can help you choose the right players to bet on this offseason. One of the biggest names potentially hitting the free market this spring is Chargers’ RB Austin Ekeler.

You can bet on the NFL online and wager on the future teams of every potential free agent, including Ekeler. Betting online also makes it easy to shop for the best odds on every free agent you want to bet on.

I will break down the latest NFL free agency 2024 predictions for Ekeler below. Also, I will break down the best landing spots and give you some insight into where other top stars could end up.

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When is NFL Free Agency?

Free agency is one of the biggest football topics after the end of each season. However, players have to wait over a month after the Super Bowl to sign with a new team. This year’s free agency period starts on March 13th at 4:00 PM Eastern time.

Will Austin Ekeler Leave the Chargers?

It is no secret that running backs have become devalued in recent years in the NFL. As a result, even the best RBs can find themselves on the chopping block. Austin Ekeler, who has 44 total TDs in the last three years, could be a cap casualty this spring.

Ekeler signed a four-year contract before the 2020 season. His contract has expired, but the Chargers could franchise tag the star RB to keep him around for another year. A talented RB like Ekeler would be a great weapon for Jim Harbaugh in his first year as head coach.

The tag number for an RB next season is just over $11.95 million, which is more than Ekeler’s base salary for the last two years. If they cannot work out a new deal, it is likely that Ekeler will not return to the Chargers next season.

Austin Ekeler Next Team Odds

  • Ravens (+500)
  • Eagles (+600)
  • Bears (+700)
  • Broncos (+700)
  • Bills (+900)

Bovada Sportsbook has odds for 31 other teams that could sign Ekeler if he leaves the Chargers. The Ravens (+500) are the current betting favorites to land Ekeler in NFL free agency 2024. Philadelphia has the second-best odds at 6-1, with Chicago (+700), Denver (+700), and Buffalo (+900) rounding out the top five.

Ravens (+500)

Baltimore finally had a healthy Lamar Jackson for a full season. The Ravens earned the top seed in the AFC, and Jackson won his second MVP award. However, the team came up short at home in the AFC title game.

Jackson’s health has been a big barrier for the Ravens in recent years. Baltimore has also had terrible injury luck in their RB room.

Ekeler would be an upgrade over the other RBs currently on the Ravens roster. He would also provide Lamar with another weapon on offense because Ekeler is good at catching passes out of the backfield.

Eagles (+600)

The team with the second-best odds to sign Ekeler is the Philadelphia Eagles. Sports betting sites have the Eagles listed at +600 to sign Ekeler this offseason.

Adding a talented dual-threat RB like Ekeler would give the offense a big boost heading into next season.

However, Philadelphia does not have a ton of cap space to work with this offseason. Also, the team has a lot of holes on the defensive side of the ball to address. As a result, signing a high-paid RB may not be an option for the Eagles this spring.

Bears (+700)

There are two teams tied at +700 for the third in the latest Austin Ekeler next team odds. The first is the Bears, who also have the first overall pick in this year’s draft. There are going to be a lot of new faces in Chicago next season, and Ekeler could be one of them.

The Bears have roughly $80 million in cap space this offseason, so they have plenty of money to sign Ekeler. Also, the team could use an upgrade at the RB position. The team was forced to make do with the likes of Khalil Herbert, Roschon Johnson, and D’Onta Foreman last season.

Adding a weapon like Ekeler would be a huge help to Justin Fields, or any of the rookie QBs Chicago could add in the draft. Ekeler could handle the workload of a run-heavy offense, regardless of who is under center.

Broncos (+700)

The other team that football betting sites have listed at 7-1 in the latest NFL free agency odds is the Denver Broncos. Denver has had plenty of time to scout Ekeler since he has spent the first part of his career with their division rival.

Ekeler would fit into Sean Payton’s system seamlessly, and Denver’s offense could certainly use whatever spark Ekeler could provide. The issue with Ekeler going to Denver is his price tag. The Broncos have the fourth-least amount of cap space this offseason due in part to QB Russell Wilson’s contract.

Bills (+900)

Rounding out the top five is the Buffalo Bills, who are listed at +900 in the latest NFL free agency odds. Ekeler is the latest in a long line of RB free agents to be tied to Buffalo. However, the Bills currently have the least amount of cap space in the NFL.

Buffalo is nearly $43 million over the cap. The Bills also have James Cook on the roster, who played well down the stretch when he was finally given a chance. With that in mind, it is hard to imagine the Bills going all out to sign Ekeler.

Austin Ekeler Next Team Prediction

Of all the teams Ekeler could go to, I believe the Bears make the most sense. Chicago has plenty of cap space, and they could use a talented RB like Ekeler. As we saw in LA, Ekeler can be a great weapon for a young QB trying to adjust to the NFL.

Prediction: Bears (+700)

More NFL Next Team Odds

Austin Ekeler is not the only star who could be hitting the open market this spring. Players from across the league, including Baker Mayfield, Chris Jones, and Derrick Henry could all be on new teams next year. Here are my NFL free agency predictions for those players.

Baker Mayfield Next Team Odds

  • Falcons (+400)
  • Seahawks (+500)
  • Bears (+600)

After a forgettable year in 2022, QB Baker Mayfield found a new home in Tampa last year. Mayfield led the Buccaneers to an NFC South title and a playoff win. He is a free agent, but he could return to the Bucs next season.

If Mayfield does leave, then the Falcons (+400) are favored to sign him this offseason. Seattle (+500) and Chicago (+600) round out the top three.

Signing with Atlanta would make a lot of sense for Mayfield. The Falcons need an upgrade at QB, and Mayfield would have a lot of weapons to work with. If Mayfield does leave Tampa, then I believe he will sign with Atlanta.

Prediction: Falcons (+400)

Chris Jones Next Team Odds

  • Raiders (+400)
  • Lions (+500)
  • Cowboys (+700)

The Chiefs are coming off of back-to-back Super Bowl wins, and their third in the last five years. Stand-out DT Chris Jones, a big reason for those championships, had a contract dispute last year and missed the first week of the season.

Kansas City lost the Lions in the season opener and quickly signed Jones to a one-year deal. The team is trying to make cap space to sign Jones. If he does leave KC, the Raiders (+400), Lions (+500), and Cowboys (+700) have the best odds of signing Jones.

I believe Detroit makes the most sense because they are real contenders and have plenty of cap space. The Cowboys are nearly $10 million over the cap, and the Raiders are not close to contending for a championship.

Prediction: Lions (+500)

Derrick Henry Next Team Odds

  • Ravens (+200)
  • Cowboys (+500)
  • Eagles (+500)

Last but certainly not least is The King, Derrick Henry. After eight years in Tennessee, it appears that Henry will be a free agent this summer. Baltimore (+200), Dallas (+500), and Philadelphia (+500) have the best odds to sign Henry if he leaves the Titans.

If I were Henry, I would pick the Cowboys as my next team. Dallas has a great offensive line, and they have the benefit of playing in the top-heavy NFC. Henry could be the missing link that Dallas needs to finally return to the NFC Championship game after nearly 30 years.

Prediction: Cowboys (+500)

What Are Your NFL Free Agency Predictions?

The free agency period in the NFL is just around the corner, and plenty of stars could be on the market this spring. Stars such as Austin Ekeler, Chris Jones, and Derrick Henry could all be on new teams next season.

Check out the list above to see the latest NFL free agency predictions for four of the game’s biggest stars. Then, head over to Bovada Sportsbook to wager on the latest next team odds for dozens of potential free agents.

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About the Author
Shaun Stack Editor

Shaun Stack is a senior writer at GamblingSites.org. His gambling articles have appeared in the Daily Herald, Space Coast Daily, and NJ 101.5. He’s a football betting expert, a Survivor fan, and a skilled blackjack gambler. Shaun is a native of Kansas City but now lives in Pennsylvania and follows the Pittsburgh Steelers religiously.

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