There is a common misconception that the the Los Angeles Chargers are broke, in cap space hell, and that they will not be active in free agency come March. This is not true, and while the Chargers are at -$20M in cap spending, there is going to be quite of bit of contract restructuring in the coming months and maybe the release of players to create space in an all-in move for another Super Bowl run!
(Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers)
The fact is, the Chargers have to be active in free agency. They have 21 players players set to be free agents, nine of which were starters last season:
LB Drue Tranquill
OLB/LB Kyle Van Noy
CB Bryce Callahan
DE Morgan Fox
S Nasir Adderley
WR/KR/PR DeAndre Carter
P JK Scott
K Cameron Dicker
OT Trey Pipkins
Some players can be replaced with players currently on the roster. Alohi Gilman could take over for Nasir Adderley, and Asante Samuel Jr could move into the slot for Bryce Callahan but there are other players who do not have competent backups, such as at Defensive End and Punter. Some roles could be drafted, but the Chargers still have to re-sign their own players or acquire them through free agency.
How will the Chargers Create Cap Space?
(Mike Nowak/Los Angeles Chargers)
The Chargers will be restructuring players. They simply have to. The candidates likely to be restructured include Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, JC Jackson, and Corey Linsley. The combination of these four players can add at most $63.5M in additional cap. This is done by turning the base salary of these players over into signing bonus’s, thus relieving cap in the current year, and amortizing it across the rest of the length of their contract. Players agree to restricting to because it pays them upfront and gives them additional security. It’s like your job paying you your entire salary up front, knowing that they could pay you off at anytime.
There is additional ways the Chargers could create cap space through releasing players who have little guaranteed dollars left on their contract. In order of cap savings, the candidates for release include OLB Khalil Mack $18.4M, WR Keenan Allen $14.8M, CB Michael Davis $7.4M, OG Matt Feiler $6.5M, RB Austin Ekeler $6.25M, and K Dustin Hopkins $1.5M.
With the fact the Chargers traded a 2nd-Round pick for Khalil Mack, it wouldn’t make sense to cut Mack for essentially a 1-year rental and a $9M dead cap hit. Austin Ekeler is a bargain on the final year of his contract and too valuable to the offense overall. Michael Davis is very important with the JC Jackson injury that could knock him out into the season, though his chances could really go either way if the Chargers believe they can find a cornerback in the draft or another Coupon Tom signing similiar to Bryce Callahan last season.
That leaves Keenan Allen, Matt Feiler and Dustin Hopkins as the most likely candidates to be release. Keenan Allen may be a fan favorite, but the Chargers could really use the $14.8M cap space to sign a new, cheaper wide receiver in free agency, or draft his replacement. It would go a long ways in building a deeper roster. Matt Feiler looked like a shell of his former self last year, grading as one of PFF’s worst starting offensive guards last year with a 54.6 overall grade(8th worst). Dustin Hopkins doesn’t clear much cap, but Cameron Dicker was one of the most accurate kickers last year, connecting for 24/26 field goals and making every extra point. These three moves would clear $22.8M in additional cap.
Free Agency/Draft Outlook
(Mackenzie Hudson/Los Angeles Chargers)
As previously stated, the Chargers have 21 players hitting free agency and they need to find at least nine players to fill roles as starters, plus three more if the Chargers cut Keenan Allen, Matt Feiler and Dustin Hopkins. They could draft 2-3 players early who could provide starting minutes, and some players may already be available on the roster. Still, the Chargers are going to be active in free agency, but less so in offering big contracts like last season. These will likely be short, 1-2 year bridge contracts, similar to what Austin Johnson, Bryce Callahan, and Gerald Everett received.
The players on the Chargers roster that earned new contracts and higher paydays include Drue Tranquill, Trey Pipkins, Bryce Callahan, Morgan Fox, and JK Scott. The Chargers will likely negotiate with these players for the value they provided on the field, but these players could also test the free agency market and leave with bigger offers than what the Chargers may be willing to offer.
The free agency/draft needs for the Chargers (in order of importance) include:
Right Tackle
Wide receiver with speed and kick return/punt return ability
Offensive Guard
Defensive End
Edge
Punter
Safety
Linebacker Depth
Backup Center/Guard flexibility
Backup Quarterback
Other off-season storylines to watch for
Be on the lookout of a quarterbacks coach. The Chargers could promote pass game specialist Tom Arth or offensive assistant Pat White to the role, but they will likely look to see what new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore thinks. Former Cowboys quarterbacks coach Doug Nussmeier could be a name to watch.
Justin Herbert's Massive Contract Extension
NFL Draft Prospects
JC Jackson’s availability come training camp
Progress on the Chargers new headquarters. It’s a $270M El Sugundo Facility expected to open in 2024.
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