Austin Ekeler is keen for upcoming free agent Tom Brady to sign for the Los Angeles Chargers and spearhead a Super Bowl run.
With no sign of Brady and the New England Patriots agreeing to terms on a new deal, the NFL's most successful quarterback is heading for free agency for the first time in his career.
The 20-year veteran, a six-time Super Bowl champion, is expected to have many suitors if he hits the market, and the quarterback-needy Chargers are likely to be among those interested in the services of Brady, who this week launched a Hollywood production company.
Philip Rivers was released by the Chargers following 16 seasons with the franchise and running back Ekeler feels Brady fits the bill to replace him under center.
"I think it would be amazing to play with Tom Brady," Ekeler said on NFL Total Access.
"I've been playing with Philip and he's like the GOAT in the Chargers organisation for so long, he's the legend there.
"You have Tom Brady on the other side of the country, he's a legend over there so if I got to play with them it would be an amazing opportunity.
"I feel like I would have been able to play with two GOATs of our century.
Exciting times ahead, on and off the field! https://t.co/q1W2jNXODF
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) March 9, 2020
"Here's why I think it would be a good fit - we just lost a lot of leadership in Philip Rivers, right? So it's like, all right, there's a void there now.
"Also, Russell Okung, one of our tackles, got traded. He was one of our team leaders as well. So there's a void in leadership right there.
"It's an opportunity for people to step up, but if you bring a guy like Tom Brady in the room, he's been there, done that. He's already got the leadership qualities and he's already proven that he's a winner. So hey, let's build something around that, too."
Ekeler will be returning to the Chargers after reportedly signing a four-year, $24.5million extension following a breakout 2019.
The Chargers, who had a 5-11 record last season and finished bottom of the AFC West, have the 12th-most cap space in the NFL so would seemingly be in a position to make a run at Brady.
Furthermore, with Ekeler, Keenan Allen and potentially Hunter Henry coming back, they also have the offensive weapons 42-year-old Brady would crave.
"I feel like we have the pieces to make a run [at the Super Bowl] regardless," Ekeler added.
"I feel like that void is there, it's going to be filled by somebody. But we just have the talent around him, whoever that person is, to make them successful."