Austin Ekeler asks for a trade. UPDATE: Granted permission

[BillsShredder83]

1 hour ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Ekeler is no joke. We can say that McCaffrey is an all around better back, but if you said it was Ekeler, I wouldn’t disagree. 
 

He doesn’t miss games, and he’s an excellent short yardage and goaline back. He is absolutely complete. 

hasnt he been hurt a bunch the last 2 years?

 

(edit: he has not, but felt like he lived on injury report last season)

49 minutes ago, Gunsgoodtime said:

Maybe it was Kamara, but it was one of them.  It was posted here

that was def AK

Edited March 13, 2023 by BillsShredder83

[OZBILLS]

He's a culture guy. Could be a chance

[Sherlock Holmes]

4 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Cook, Oliver, 2nd for Ekeler and K.Mack restructured 😄

I'll take Bosa instead

1 hour ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Ekeler is no joke. We can say that McCaffrey is an all around better back, but if you said it was Ekeler, I wouldn’t disagree. 
 

He doesn’t miss games, and he’s an excellent short yardage and goaline back. He is absolutely complete. 

You should disagree if somebody says that... McCaffrey is the most complete back not to mention the best.

[DJB]

1 hour ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Ekeler is no joke. We can say that McCaffrey is an all around better back, but if you said it was Ekeler, I wouldn’t disagree. 
 

He doesn’t miss games, and he’s an excellent short yardage and goaline back. He is absolutely complete. 

All true but he wants to be paid huge.

 

Bills aren’t in a position to pay him

[Simstim]

I'd love him. We probably wont get him as he's likely to be too expensive.

 

C'est la vie.

[nucci]

30 minutes ago, OZBILLS said:

He's a culture guy. Could be a chance

what does that mean? He has culture?

[Mr. WEO]

4 hours ago, Rc2catch said:

I’m aware of a stat page. They don’t always tell the whole story. His value in that offense is much more than another. 

 

That's hard to imagine: "when they need a yard", Michel had a grand total of 8 1st downs last year.  Spiller is a total zero--41 yards and 2 1st downs.  What were you referring to with these 2?

 

Ekeler is  a massive part of that Offense. He is the entire running game.  He caught more TDs than any receiver on that team. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

2 minutes ago, nucci said:

what does that mean? He has culture?

Eats his Snickers bar with a knife and fork...how do you eat yours? 🤨

[Thrivefourfive]

4 minutes ago, nucci said:

what does that mean? He has culture?

That’s all we need… more culture. So the Bengals, Chiefs, and Jags can stomp on us like a bug. 
 

 

Edited March 13, 2023 by Thrivefourfive

[wppete]

If they can get him for. 4th or 5th round pick we could have a very good backfield with Ekeler, Cook and Hines. All 3 weapons. 

[Southern_Bills]

He is likely asking for a trade to get paid. So unless you plan to pay him a nice contract he isn't coming to your team.

[Rc2catch]

4 minutes ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

That's hard to imagine: "when they need a yard", Michel had a grand total of 8 1st downs last year.  Spiller is a total zero--41 yards and 2 1st downs.  What were you referring to with these 2?

 

Ekeler is  a massive part of that Offense. He is the entire running game.  He caught more TDs than any receiver on that team. 

Josh Kelley was the other back. Had to look it up I didn’t remember all the backs names over there. 

[Dopey]

4 hours ago, SoCal Deek said:

Sounds exactly like what the Bills need! Check it down. Move the chains. Matriculate the ball down the field boys! 

Cook?

[Mr. WEO]

7 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

Josh Kelley was the other back. Had to look it up I didn’t remember all the backs names over there. 

 

Another minor player.  16 1st downs on 67 carries.  

 

When they need a 1st down, Ekeler (46 of them on the ground, 36 in the air) is the go to guy.  Those 3 are bums---especially Spiller and Michel.  They do nothing.

[Rc2catch]

1 minute ago, Mr. WEO said:

 

Another minor player.  16 1st downs on 67 carries.  

 

When they need a 1st down, Ekeler (46 of them on the ground, 36 in the air) is the go to guy.  Those 3 are bums---especially Spiller and Michel.  They do nothing.

Good to know 

[Rc2catch]

Just now, Chicken Boo said:

 

This is a terrible take.

Maybe so. But I still stand by it. Have to see if he leaves and how his replacement does and how he does in a different system. His value is insanely high to that team. I don’t dispute that. 

[Chicken Boo]

26 minutes ago, Rc2catch said:

Maybe so. But I still stand by it. Have to see if he leaves and how his replacement does and how he does in a different system. His value is insanely high to that team. I don’t dispute that. 

 

I deleted my comment because you had acknowledged his production in another post.

 

He wouldn't be nearly as productive here because Dorsey sucks.  

[Norcalbillsfan]

Seems weird to me, I get that he doesn't have guaranteed money but he's one of the few RBs at the end of their prime that has a contract. But maybe someone will give him some guaranteed money but I doubt he gets more than a 2 year deal.

[stuvian]

they have nothing behind him

[Alphadawg7]

It’s official, Chargers granted permission for him to seek a trade.  That means there is a RB trade market that potentially includes Austin Ekeler, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb, and Derrick Henry.  That’s like the first half of a fantasy football draft lol.
 

Just goes to show how tough it is to pay a RB big money.  Teams are faced with having to decide to trade them rather than give them a big deal, or trade because they gave them a big deal.  Be interesting to see if any, or even all, of these RB's get moved and what they go for.  Given how cheap Waller just got traded for, curious to see what kind of offers teams are going to get for a RB.  
 

Some good options already in FA that won’t require draft capital.  Be interesting to see which domino falls first in both trade and free agency.  As for the Bills, given Beane has explored previous RB trades, it wouldn't surprise me if we are linked to any of these guys.  

 

 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Alphadawg7

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

On 3/13/2023 at 12:31 PM, Rc2catch said:

Not sure how to value him on a contract.. Just my opinion of course but he’s not a good running back. 
He’s a check down machine but there’s been plenty of guys who just catch check downs all day. When the chargers need a yard they pull him out for Sony Michel or Spiller or another back. 

Not a good running back? What? Dude had 1600 all purpose yards and 18 TDs. Screw the stats though. Anybody who watched any Chargers games knows Ekeler would be an absolute asset to any team he joins. If catching passes out of the backfield is so easy then why have the Bills spent so many resources looking for a guy that can do exactly that ? Unfortunately, it’s just too much of a luxury at this point, but idk who wouldn’t be ecstatic to have him on their team. 

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

2 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

It’s official, Chargers granted permission for him to seek a trade.  That means there is a RB trade market that potentially includes Austin Ekeler, Dalvin Cook, Nick Chubb, and Derrick Henry.  That’s like the first half of a fantasy football draft lol.
 

Moral of the story, don’t pay big contracts to RBs, it rarely works out.  And by the time you figure that out, you’re gonna have to trade them for less than they are worth to get away from the big cap number.  
 

Some good options already in FA that won’t require draft capital.  Be interesting to see which domino falls first in bath trade and free agency.

 

 

 

Ekeler isn't a large cap hit issue - he just wants an extension.  He has like nothing guaranteed and his total comp for the year is only 6M.  I just cant imagine him playing under that number.  

[Warriorspikes51]

I would prefer Jamaal Williams who has a lot of great qualities this team needs more of. 

But...Ekeler is an absolute weapon.  The question of course would be...can Dorsey utilize him 

I just hope he doesn't end up a Patriot, Chief or Dolphin 

Edited March 14, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[Chicken Boo]

I bet he could be had for a 2nd.  

 

A back that wouldn't have to leave the field unless he's being spelled for rest.  If Dorsey doesn't suck, this is exactly the type of back the Bills need.  

[Warriorspikes51]

would anyone do Cook for Ekeler straight up? 

[BarleyNY]

Just now, Chicken Boo said:

I bet he could be had for a 2nd.  

 

A back that wouldn't have to leave the field unless he's being spelled for rest.  If Dorsey doesn't suck, this is exactly the type of back the Bills need.  

I can’t imagine that the Chargers will get anything close to a second for Eckler. 

[Chicken Boo]

1 minute ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

would anyone do Cook for Ekeler straight up? 

 

Keep them both.  

Just now, BarleyNY said:

I can’t imagine that the Chargers will get anything close to a second for Eckler. 

 

In the Bills case it'd be a late 2nd, but you may be right.  That would be even better.

[Alphadawg7]

9 minutes ago, Bleeding Bills Blue said:

 

Ekeler isn't a large cap hit issue - he just wants an extension.  He has like nothing guaranteed and his total comp for the year is only 6M.  I just cant imagine him playing under that number.  

Yeah he has a good deal today, it’s just that he wants a bigger deal making him available despite being such a valuable piece to the Chargers.  
 

If we got him, or any of them on a reasonable deal great.  But just seems to backfire when teams pay RBs $10M+ a year.  

[JohnBonhamRocks]

If Waller just went for 100 overall, then I would think a Bills trade for Eckler would either be for 91 overall and maybe a swap of late round picks in BUF's favor or 130 overall and maybe a swap of late round picks in LAC's favor.

[Thrivefourfive]

Ekeler would be a set it and forget it guy in ALL situations. I don’t see him as an I got paid, I’m not playing a 100% either. He’s at the top of the NFL player’s food chain. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

On 3/13/2023 at 12:34 PM, Royale with Cheese said:

 

Better shot at Malkovich and a 5th.  

 

Depends what it's a fifth of...🤔

*
If it's this, hard pass:

[Governor]

1 minute ago, Thrivefourfive said:

Ekeler would be a set it and forget it guy in ALL situations. I don’t see him as an I got paid, I’m not playing a 100% either. He’s at the top of the NFL player’s food chain. 

It won’t be him since he’s a fumbler. McD don’t play that.

[Warriorspikes51]

Just now, Governor said:

It won’t be him since he’s a fumbler. McD don’t play that.

 

lol what? Devin has been one of the worst fumblers in the league 

[cba fan]

21 hours ago, nucci said:

what does that mean? He has culture?

means he seamlessly fit in on old team and matched the vibe and personality on that old team. Also means he matches vibe and personality of next team if he matches the culture wanted on new team he is going to. Usually is meant in a positive light and means he is a good person who does not put himself over team. and does not get in trouble in locker room, on field, or off field. In Bills case he needs to be down with the process and in McD case he also likes religious guys. 

 

Now saying he is a culture fit with Bills is completely different then saying he is a culture fit with for example 1980's Raiders, the Cowboys of any era, etc etc as they were down and dirty/nasty/criminal/drug users on and off field.

 

Another term appointed for these guys when coming to teams who favor religious guys is choir boys. But that is taking the characteristic description to the extreme.

[C.Biscuit97]

1 minute ago, ScottLaw said:

What a waste of assets this would be. 

Yeah, I love the player but unless it’s like a 4th or lower, I won’t be thrilled with it. It’s also hilarious that you would give up yet another asset for a rb (2nd, 2 3rds, the Hines trade) for a guy who wasn’t drafted.

 

it’s should not be this hard to find a rb especially with a guy like Allen. The funniest thing is the bills sucked for so long but always could find a rb. Now they are good and can’t find one! Bring back OJ!

[nucci]

4 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I just don’t ***** get it… Just a ***** ton of rumors about them interested in whichever RB is available… meanwhile their WRs suck ass outside of Diggs. 

no reason to get upset unless they acquire a RB. It's just twitter people

Edited March 14, 2023 by nucci

[london_bills]

3rd pick for ekeler, 1st round WR, 2nd round G

[Alphadawg7]

4 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I just don’t ***** get it… Just a ***** ton of rumors about them interested in whichever RB is available… meanwhile their WRs suck ass outside of Diggs. 

 

That is just it...there have been VERY FEW real rumors for the most part.  People keep reading tweets by nobody's saying he would be a good fit, or I bet the Bills would be or should be calling...and then coming onto the boards and falsely associating that as "rumors" the Bills are interested.  

 

I would say at best, like 1 out of every 10-15 rumors I have seen yesterday and today regarding the Bills interest in a player at any position have actually been from a credible source reporting Bills interest on a player.  The rest are coming from fake posts, or falsely thinking some randos comment on twitter is somehow a rumor linking the Bills to said player.  

 

Its mind blowing how many people here keep regurgitating nonsense as rumor.  A few were legitimately fooled by fake accounts posting fake info, but most see any dumb tweet as a rumor.

Edited March 14, 2023 by Alphadawg7

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Nice player, not sure how he fits on the Bills. 

[Thrivefourfive]

Are we really saying Ekeler doesn’t fit? You make him fit. It’s what coaches are supposed to do — make your best players the best they can be. That’s like saying we don’t know how Allen fits. 
 

With #30, Allen can go deep all he wants, Ekeler would own everything from the line of scrimmage to the sticks. Look how great he’s been with the Chargers. He should be even better if on the Bills. The offense would be sooo good with Ekeler.