The Los Angeles Chargers should have made the playoffs with the amount of talent that they have on their roster. However, bad gambles and some below average defensive play led to their season ending early. This offseason, they have a lot to look forward too. As long as they become aggressive during the free agency period.
What Can the Los Angeles Chargers Do?
It may sound surprising, but the Chargers have the third most cap space in the NFL. They do have a lot of upcoming free agents that they have to figure out if they want to resign. Linval Joseph and Chris Harris are two veteran names that are each commanding near $10 million a year right now. Resigning them would cost a lot, but they are two strong veteran presences that could help them down the stretch. Tight end Jared Cook is also a upcoming free agent. However, he isn’t likely to be resigned even though he had a few excellent games this season. The Chargers simply have other tight ends that have stepped in and performed this past year. Plus, signing a veteran tight end like Cook for more than $5 million a year just isn’t smart.
Then we have the more important players hitting the market. Wide receiver Mike Williams is available now that his rookie contract is all done. Williams didn’t have a strong start to his career but the last two seasons under Justin Herbert showed his potential. Resigning him would certainly be costly, but it should be something that they opt to do. Then comes Uchenna Nwosu, their linebacker. He only commands a $1.4 million salary right now and will certainly demand a lot more. The linebacker position is an area of weakness for Los Angeles, it may not be wise to let go of a playmaker at the position even if he is inconsistent.
The Chargers essentially need anybody that they can get on the defensive side of the ball. Joey Bosa and Derwin James are incredible talents, but it’s clear that they can’t carry this unit forever. Chandler Jones, the edge rusher on the Arizona Cardinals, could be a huge name for them. Despite his age and injury history, he still has a lot to offer. He would be terrific on the other end of Bosa on that defensive line, though may cost around $34 million over two years. If he ends up being too injury prone, they could also try and snag Von Miller off the Los Angeles Rams, though the contract will likely be similar.
Finally, a star-studded cornerback would slot in beautifully with them. JC Jackson is probably the best option that they are going to get. He isn’t likely to be walking away from the New England Patriots, but stranger things have happened. Jackson will command a hefty contract, some estimations sitting at four-year, $72 million. He is a lockdown cornerback that snags interceptions consistently. He also isn’t injury prone, not missing significant time since 2018.
The Chargers are just a few pieces away from taking that next step to Super Bowl contention. We saw what defensive upgrades could do to the Cincinnati Bengals this past year. Hopefully this upcoming offseason is the time when the Chargers start to go after big name players.
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