March 11, 2024
ANALYSISThe deal reportedly is worth up to $11.43 million, but with only $4.82 million guaranteed in the first season and a significant portion being based in incentives. Ekeler turns 29 years old in May and is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he experienced a massive downturn from his 2021 and 2022 production while dealing with a high-ankle sprain and poor blocking. Even if he can't recapture his peak form, Ekeler should be useful as a passing-down back given that he has 3,884 career receiving yards and 30 receiving touchdowns. The Commanders likely envision Ekeler and
Brian Robinson sharing backfield snaps, though it might look quite a bit different than Robinson's split with
Antonio Gibson in 2023. Gibson has moved on to New England in free agency, while the Commanders have a new offensive coordinator (Kliff Kingsbury) and are widely expected to pursue a new quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.