After finishing 10-7 and making the playoffs for the first time since 2018 in Brandon Staley’s second season as head coach, the Chargers are set to enter the offseason.
Los Angeles is still a couple of months away from the new league frenzy commencing, but it’s not too early to look at what to expect then, starting with 15 players who are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents.
- S Nasir Adderley
- CB Bryce Callahan
- WR Deandre Carter
- C Will Clapp
- DT Christian Covington
- QB Chase Daniel
- DT Tyeler Davison
- DL Morgan Fox
- OT Trey Pipkins
- LB Troy Reeder
- TE Richard Rodgers
- P J.K. Scott
- QB Easton Stick
- LB Drue Tranquill
- LB Kyle Van Noy
Cap space
The Chargers are projected to be $19.4 million over the salary cap in 2023, the fifth-worst situation in the NFL.
Team needs
Edge defender: Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack’s time on the field in their first year together was short-lived after Bosa sustained a groin injury that kept him out for most of the season. While Bosa was out, the pass-rush production from the position group left a lot to be desired. Mack will be 32 when the 2023 season starts. Kyle Van Noy will be a free agent. Chris Rumph has not had much of an impact. In a pass-happy league, you need players to disrupt quarterbacks consistently. The Chargers would benefit from a premier pass rusher, especially as they start preparing for life after Mack.
Wide receiver: Mike Williams made an impact when he was on the field, as did Keenan Allen. But when they weren’t due to their respective injuries, their absences were felt significantly. Joshua Palmer made strides from his rookie to sophomore season. There is a possibility that Allen could be a cap casualty, whether that be releasing or restructuring him. But the bottom line is that the Chargers lack speed at receiver, and they must address it to create more explosive plays in the passing game, something they lacked this season.
Tight end: Gerald Everett supplied the offense with a consistent piece in the passing game, finishing with career-highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555). But the other guys in the tight end room were astray. Donald Parham appeared in six games after dealing with a hamstring injury he sustained in training camp and a concussion. Tre’ McKitty was drafted in 2021 to be an inline blocker, but he was underwhelming in that department and did not offer much value as a receiver. With Parham’s injury concerns looming and the stagnant status of McKitty, the Chargers would benefit from a complete player at the position to complement Everett in 2023 and take over as the No. 1 when Everett hits the free agency market after the upcoming season.
Safety: Nasir Adderley struggled down the final stretch of the season, which resulted in Alohi Gilman getting more playing time than Adderley, including the playoff game against the Jaguars when Gilman got the start. The Chargers not playing Adderley in the most important game of the season could be telling for his future status with the team since he will be a free agent in March. 2022 third-round pick JT Woods was taken with the idea of playing him as the deep safety to allow Derwin James to move all over the field. But that never came to fruition as Woods struggled as a tackler in the limited defensive snaps he played, and he was a non-factor defensively.
Linebacker: Drue Tranquill was one of the Chargers’ best defenders this season, leading the team in tackles and making an impact not just against the run but as a pass rusher and in coverage. Tranquill is a free agent, and even though he proved that he should be a priority re-signing, it would not surprise if the team let him go, considering they let Kyzir White walk in free agency last year despite him coming off a really solid season in 2021. Kenneth Murray still has not lived up to his first-round billing. Troy Reeder is a free agent. Nick Niemann and Amen Ogbongmeniga have been solid, just on special teams. While it’s not a premium position in Brandon Staley’s defense, Los Angeles could use another player that is prolific at stopping the run.
Draft picks
The Chargers possess the No. 21 overall selection in the 2023 NFL draft, and they are projected to have seven total picks.
