Austin Ekeler. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Bengals named 'best fit' for top trade candidate

Not that the Bengals need any more firepower, but Pro Football Focus has named Cincinnati the best fit for one of the NFL's top trade candidates.

PFF believes that the Bengals should trade for Chargers RB Austin Ekeler, who was recently granted permission to seek a trade after the two sides failed to make progress on a new contract.

Ekeler is clearly frustrated Los Angeles won't give him the money he feels he deserves after totaling 3,195 yards and 38 touchdowns over the past two seasons.

"I'm so underpaid right now as far as my contract and what I contribute to the team," Ekeler said. "I want a team who wants me long-term. I'm at the peak of my game."

Running backs continue to be underappreciated in the NFL and Ekeler, who is still just 27, seems to be the latest example.

However, unless Cincinnati parts ways with another player, most likely RB Joe Mixon, it's unlikely the team would pursue Ekeler. 

The Bengals are preparing to pay QB Joe Burrow, and adding Ekeler would make things difficult working against the cap. It is still unknown what compensation the Chargers would ask for their running back as well.

Mixon is a year younger than Ekeler and has been in Cincinnati since he was drafted in 2017, but in this league, never say never.

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