What the Chargers might be planning for free agency

Chargers running back Austin Ekeler, attempting to evade Denver defenders during a game last season, is a pending free agent. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)

Free agency in the NFL is traditionally a time to look outside the organization for help.

The Chargers, though, still have some issues to resolve inside.

Edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa as well as wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams all have salary-cap numbers in excess of $32 million.

The team sits more than $21 million over the mandated threshold of $255.4 million, according to overthecap.com.

So there are weighty decisions to be made in order for the Chargers to reach cap compliance by the 1 p.m. Wednesday deadline.

Rookie general manager Joe Hortiz and new head coach Jim Harbaugh inherited plenty of work as they attempt to retool the Chargers’ roster, a makeover made more difficult by the financial constraints the two men face.

Unless the Chargers drastically shed salary, Hortiz and Harbaugh figure to be bargain hunting in free agency.

Here’s a position-by-position roster update as the negotiating period arrives at 9 a.m. Monday:

Quarterbacks

Entering his fifth season, Justin Herbert has yet to win a playoff game. Yet his presence and potential are such that the Chargers’ head-coach opening was generally regarded as the most appealing in the league this offseason.

Chargers backup quarterback Easton Stick, evading Chiefs defensive end Tershawn Wharton, is a pending free agent. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

There is, however, a (somewhat) significant quarterback question for this team: who will be Herbert’s backup? Easton Stick is heading into unrestricted free agency, as is Will Grier. Max Duggan, a seventh-round draft pick a year ago, was signed to a futures contract in January.

The veteran backup-types expected to be available in free agency include Tyler Huntley, who spent time in Baltimore with new Chargers’ offensive coordinator Greg Roman.

Running backs

This is one position…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/chargers-might-planning-free-agency-110019002.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-03-11 11:00:19

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