With the 2023 NFL Draft just a few weeks away, college prospects continue to show their skill sets at pro days, hoping to impress NFL talent evaluators. Meanwhile, news and rumors surrounding NFL free agency haven’t stopped, even though the market has been open for a while.
Let’s check in on the latest updates from around the league, including notes on Austin Ekeler, John Elway, and Hendon Hooker. Be sure to bookmark our NFL Pro Day schedule and check back daily for the most important takeaways.
Austin Ekeler: ‘Worst-Case Scenario,’ I’ll Play Out My Contract
The Los Angeles Chargers granted Austin Ekeler permission to seek a trade earlier this month, but there’s been no known movement on the veteran running back. Appearing on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, Ekeler suggested that if he’s not dealt, he’ll have no recourse but to play out his contract.
“Look, I guess the worst-case scenario right now out of all of it, I’ll come back, and I’ll have to play for the Chargers for a year and bet on myself and then be a free agent next year,” Ekeler said on Tuesday.
Ekeler is set to earn $6.25 million in 2023, and his average annual value ranks just 13th among running backs. He’s been a driving force of the Los Angeles offense, averaging nearly 1,600 total yards and 19 touchdowns per season from 2021-22.
However, Ekeler will turn 28 years in May and will surely want a contract extension as part of a trade. As talented and productive as he is, it’s difficult to find a team that would be willing to sacrifice draft capital to acquire Ekeler and sign him to a new deal.
John Elway No Longer Consulting for Broncos
John Elway, synonymous with the Denver Broncos for the better part of 40 years, is no longer formally involved with the organization after his outside consulting contract expired last month, as Mike Klis of 9News reports.
“I’ve enjoyed the relationship with the Broncos for a long, long time,” Elway said. “I told Greg (Penner) I’d be happy to be a resource for him and help in any way that I can. I just wanted the flexibility. They’re in great hands. I still plan on being around to watch and be a resource for Greg or George (Paton) if I can.”
Elway, 62, was the Broncos’ quarterback for 16 seasons, winning two Super Bowls and an MVP award. In 2011, he became the club’s general manager, helped lure Peyton Manning to Denver, and eventually earned another Lombardi Trophy.
After the 2020 campaign, Elway stepped down as the Broncos’ general manager but retained his role as the team’s president of football operations. Last February, Elway became an outside consultant and reported directly to Paton.
Hendon Hooker Meeting With Saints, Titans, and Packers
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, viewed as a potential first-round pick, will continue his NFL tour this week. He met with the New Orleans Saints on Tuesday and will huddle with the Tennessee Titans and Green Bay Packers to close out the week, according to Matt Miller of ESPN.
While the Packers seem unlikely to draft an early-round quarterback as they turn things over to Jordan Love, the Saints and Titans could be in the mix for Hooker.
New Orleans signed Derek Carr to a four-year contract this offseason, but Hooker could become a long-term option for the Saints. He’s unlikely to be immediately available in his rookie season after tearing his ACL in November 2022, so he could learn behind Carr for the time being.
Hooker would get a similar benefit of time in Tennessee if the Titans hang onto veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill for the upcoming campaign. The Titans hold the 11th overall selection, which might be a tad early for Hooker, but they could grab him near the top of Round 2.