With a new general manager and head coach soon to be brought in, they will quickly have to figure out which pending free agents will be re-signed.
Set to have 20 pending free agents, the Chargers have three players that made Pro Football Focus’ top 150 free agent rankings.
No. 56: RB Austin Ekeler
Even though he surpassed 1,000 total yards on the year, Ekeler had a disappointing 2023 season. He wasn’t efficient on the ground, averaging a career-low 3.5 yards per carry.
Even though Ekeler will be 29 years old next season, his versatility should still appeal to a handful of NFL teams.
Ekeler pushed for a contract extension and then a trade before the season once it became clear the Chargers didn’t plan to add years to his contract.
The former undrafted free agent has lost some of his top-end speed and acceleration, but he is still shifty over the middle with good start-and-stop ability laterally and a natural pass-catching prowess that rivals any back in the NFL.
No. 83: TE Gerald Everett
The Chargers found a consistent safety net for Justin Herbert to target last year when they acquired Everett in free agency ahead of the 2022 season. He finished with career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555).
While he didn’t top those numbers this past season, Everett was still a reliable target, and his ability to pick up yards after the catch came in handy. A team looking for a pass-catching tight end could use his services.
Everett earned Justin Herbert’s trust on critical downs and in the red zone over the past two seasons and has forced 28 missed tackles since 2022, the second most among tight ends. Everett does well to plant his foot in the ground on his first step after the catch and then bounce off contact, and he consistently shakes out of arm tackles by continuing to drive his feet.
Everett is more of a check-down and tunnel screen outlet, averaging more than five yards after the catch in five consecutive seasons with an average depth of target around just six yards, but he can make the occasional contested catch — which was particularly on display in 2022 when he made eight contested snags.
No. 137: S Alohi Gilman
Gilman became a starter for the first time in his career and took every bit of his opportunities, amassing career-high numbers in tackles (73), interceptions (2) and forced fumbles (3). He was always around the football to make a play and at only 26, Gilman has plenty of good seasons in him.
