After finishing 11-6 and making the playoffs, the Chargers are in full offseason mode.
Los Angeles is still a couple of months away from the new league frenzy, but it’s not too early to look at what to expect then, starting with 27 players scheduled to be unrestricted free agents.
- CB Eli Apple
- OL Bradley Bozeman
- WR DJ Chark
- RB J.K. Dobbins
- LB Troy Dye
- TE Hayden Hurst
- WR Simi Fehoko
- DL Poona Ford
- DL Morgan Fox
- CB Kristian Fulton
- QB Taylor Heinicke
- OL Brenden Jaimes
- S Tony Jefferson
- EDGE Khalil Mack
- S Marcus Maye
- S Elijah Molden
- OL Sam Mustipher
- LB Nick Niemann
- WR Joshua Palmer
- LB Denzel Perryman
- LB Shaq Quarterman
- WR Jalen Reagor
- EDGE Chris Rumph II
- CB Asante Samuel, Jr.
- P JK Scott
- QB Easton Stick
- DL Teair Tart
Cap space
The Chargers have a projected $63 million in cap space, the sixth most among all NFL teams.
Team needs
Wide receiver
Time and time again, we saw Justin Herbert’s receivers drop crucial passes this season. Ladd McConkey is here to stay for the long term, and Quentin Johnston did show some improvements. With that, the Chargers still need a legit No. 1 playmaker on the outsider, like a Tee Higgins in free agency. Keenan Allen even teased that he would consider a return to Los Angeles. Regardless of who it is, the Chargers must get Herbert some help and it should be at the top of the priority list.
Tight end
Just behind the wide receiver position, the Chargers need tight end talent badly as well. Recent mock drafts have had Los Angeles using their first-round draft selection on a tight end. This year’s talent at the position was subpar in both the pass-catching and blocking departments. Don’t be surprised to see the front office add multiple tight ends this offseason.
Center
The offensive line is set at offensive tackle, but center was the clear weakness of this unit in 2024. Bradley Bozeman was brought in on a cheap deal, and it didn’t work out. He was regularly the weak link of the offensive line, and it’s time Los Angeles gets younger at this position.
Running back
J.K. Dobbins proved to be a good value pickup. But as we saw, his injury history is concerning. While he can’t be relied upon for an entire 17-game season, Dobbins could be a candidate to return on a short-term deal. Still, it would be wise to draft a running back in this year’s deep class or resort to the free agency pool to improve a rushing offense that ranked far below Jim Harbaugh’s standards.
Guard
Zion Johnson is sometimes inconsistent, but he will still be a starter on the left side in 2025. However, the team has a decision to make regarding his fifth-year option. On the right side, the team should seek reinforcements through the draft and free agency. Trey Pipkins was not good enough, particularly in pass protection.
Interior defensive line
Poona Ford is the big name to watch here, as he had a breakout season this year and is set to hit free agency. He was dominant on the inside, particularly in the run game. Even if Ford is brought back, this unit still needs some depth.
Cornerback
Kristian Fulton and Asante Samuel Jr. are set to become free agents, so the team must decide on those two first and foremost. Beyond that, Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still are in the plans after promising rookie seasons. The team will need depth, at minimum, at the position still. The front office may even consider getting a No. 1 corner in free agency if they lose Fulton and Samuel.
Edge defender
This is largely dependent on Khalil Mack’s fate. Mack will turn 34 in a little over a month. The veteran is coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl appearance, and he was phenomenal under Jesse Minter this year. The team should do everything in its power to bring him back, but if they do lose him, this becomes a huge area of concern. Additionally, the team could cut ties with Joey Bosa, who has struggled with injuries.
Draft picks
The Chargers have the No. 22 overall selection and are projected to have ten total picks in the 2025 NFL draft.
