Chargers Daily Links: Does Jonathan Taylor’s new contract change Austin Ekeler’s future in LA?

Good morning, Chargers fans!

Austin Ekeler was at the forefront of the movement to try and get running backs paid earlier this year when it seemed like every big-name back was voicing their displeasure about the current state of their position’s market. Josh Jacobs took awhile to come back to the Raiders. Jonathan Taylor was seeing a rift start to form between him and the Colts’ front office. Ekeler, himself, looked for trade partners after the Chargers chose not to extend him past this season.

As of today, Jacobs got a usable deal and return to Las Vegas but hasn’t looked anything like his 2022 form, Jonathan Taylor just signed a three-year, $42 million extension just before his teammate rushed for 165 yards and two touchdowns to dampen his 2023 debut, and Ekeler has missed the past three games after suffering an ankle injury in Week One.

Heck, and I didn’t even mention Nick Chubb’s sever season-ending injury he sustained several weeks ago.

The idea of what running backs are worth has continued to bounce up and down all season. With Ekeler set to return in Week Six after an extended break through the bye, I wanted to throw out this conversation starter to you all: Has anything changed in regards to Ekeler’s future with the Chargers? Do you think Taylor’s latest deal pushes anything forward between Ek and the team or do things remain as they were and this seemingly is his last year in powder blue?

Go ahead and leave all of your thoughts below!

And now for today’s links.

Chargers News:

Five things to know about new cornerback Essang Bassey (Chargers.com)

Five takeaways ahead of the bye week (Chargers.com)

The Chargers quarter-season award winners after the first five weeks (Chargers Wire)

Should the Chargers make another trade with the Patriots to bring back Hunter Henry? (Bolt Beat)

NFL News:

Anthony Richardson left Sunday’s game with a Grade 3 shoulder sprain, could miss four to six weeks (NFL.com)

What we learned from the Week Five slate of games in the NFL (NFL.com)

Dak Prescott calls the Cowboys’ 42-10 loss the “most humbling” of his career (ESPN)

NFL grades handed out by every NFL team from Week Five’s Sunday slate (CBS Sports)

Patrick Mahomes became the youngest player to beat all other 31 NFL teams (Pro Football Talk)

The Lions and 49ers scored touchdowns on the same play, both to a former Iowa tight end (Touchdown Wire)