As free agency approaches, the Chargers are projected to be $44 million over the salary cap.
General manager Joe Hortiz will have some decisions to make regarding their internal pending free agents.
Ahead of the free agency frenzy, here are my predictions for what Los Angeles might do with each player in their 2024 free agent class.
CB Essang Bassey
The Chargers claimed Bassey off waivers in October after the Broncos released the fourth-year corner. Bassey is a cheap option for Los Angeles and he brings solid depth to the defense. It was Bassey who replaced safety Derwin James in the slot against the Bills in December, which means the coaching staff trusted Bassey to fill James’s shoes. Under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, Bassey has the potential to develop and become consistently solid because there were some games throughout the season where he was rather motionless as starting nickel which allowed opposing teams to drop several points.
Prediction: Re-sign
C Will Clapp
Clapp was put on injured reserve the final three games of the season after he sustained a lower-body injury but it’s no secret that the entire offensive line had its struggles against blitzes, pressures, good communication, and essentially protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. As the lead signal caller on the line, Clapp made it quite difficult for Herbert to do his job well as he constantly faced pressure. Additionally, when a defense blitzed, the sack attempts toward Herbert were the ninth-highest in the league. Clapp has donned the powder blues for two seasons but I believe it’s time for him to go. As good as Herbert is, he deserves a strong offensive line.
Prediction: Free agency
CB Michael Davis
Davis had a disappointing campaign in 2023. He used to look like a legitimate cornerback but his recent performances have been anything but legit. This is due in part to bad coaching and putting the defensive players in positions where they won’t succeed. Davis is a year shy of his 30th birthday and his age is one factor on why the Chargers will likely move on. When it comes to his stats for the season, he compiled 52 solo tackles, 10 passes defended and only one interception through the entirety of the season.
Prediction: Free agency
RB Austin Ekeler
Although head coach Jim Harbaugh has come out and said he wants Ekeler to play for him, I think the running back will be leaving Los Angeles. This was sort of cemented even before his nightmarish season due to the drama last offseason when the Chargers and Ekeler couldn’t agree on the terms for a contract extension. With previous general manager Tom Telesco now in the Raiders front office, Ekeler has a likely chance to play in Vegas.
Prediction: Free agency
WR Alex Erickson
Erickson is a veteran receiver who had a standout game against the Broncos. He took advantage of Keenan Allen’s and Joshua Palmer’s absence and recorded 98 yards on seven receptions. Erickson is a reliable bench player who stands up when he is needed. After an impressive preseason with the Jets, Erickson was signed by Los Angeles for the 2023 season. Erickson won’t be a starter but I think the Chargers may keep him for his veteran presence and gritty play.
Prediction: Re-sign
TE Gerald Everett
Everett had a solid season for Los Angeles with 51 catches for 411 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The veteran will be heading into his eighth year in the league and is a fairly reliable player. He never recorded more than 50 yards through the air in a single game, and he is not a very good blocker, but Everett does have a good connection with Herbert, which proves to be useful in the red zone. Despite the chemistry with his quarterback, I think Everett will be leaving the Chargers.
Prediction: Free agency
S Alohi Gilman
Gilman is a key free agent the Chargers should keep. Gilman is a gritty player and that aligns with Harbaugh’s philosophy of hard work. He isn’t the strongest or fastest but he’s knowledgeable and a commander on the field. Los Angeles will have to free up some cap space to keep the safety but I think it’s worth it.
Prediction: Re-sign
QB Will Grier
The Chargers signed Grier to the active roster in December. He hasn’t seen regular-season action since his rookie season in 2019 and the two games he did play in Grier threw 4 interceptions. He won’t be with Los Angeles next season because he isn’t a suitable backup quarterback option.
Prediction: Free agency
WR Jalen Guyton
Guyton missed the first seven games of the season as he was on the physically unable to perform list. He didn’t have the same athleticism this season, most likely due to his torn ACL. He could’ve been the wide receiver to step up for the group, but this was not the case for Guyton, who earned the lowest yards per route run mark of his career. He finished the season with ten receptions for 89 yards.
Prediction: Free agency
S Jaylinn Hawkins
The Bolts claimed Hawkins off waivers from the Falcons in October. He is able to play the deep part of the field and line up in the slot. Hawkins was given the nod as safety three and replaced Dean Marlowe. The young safety was a strong addition for Los Angeles and I think he’s earned a contract with the Chargers next season.
Prediction: Re-sign
LB Justin Hollins
The Chargers signed Hollins to the active roster in November. He came on strong in a rotational role and as much as I’d like to see him back with the Chargers, I think they go a different route to build out the edge defender room.
Prediction: Free agency
DL Austin Johnson
Johnson didn’t have a memorable 2023 season, which, suffice to say, is not enough to keep in Los Angeles. He was signed in 2022 to help elevate the run defense but the Chargers’ defensive woes never ceased throughout the entirety of the season. There are several better options for the Bolts to replace Johnson in 2024.
Prediction: Free agency
RB Joshua Kelley
In the last ten games of the season, Kelley had just 100 yards on 36 carries. With Ekeler struggling throughout the season, this was Kelley’s opportunity to carry the weight but Kelley also fell off in the second half of the season. Though Kelley is probably a cheap option, his lack of physicality doesn’t align with Harbaugh’s philosophy, and I don’t believe the running back will return in the powder blues next season.
Prediction: Free agency
S Dean Marlowe
Marlowe started four games for the Bolts at safety in 2023. At first, it looked like Marlowe showed potential. However, it later became clear wasn’t meant to have a starting role. Jaylinn Hawkins eventually replaced Marlowe and I think the safety will be forced to play elsewhere next season.
Prediction: Free agency
LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
The former first-round pick was put at the core of the defense by former head coach Brandon Staley. Part of his inconsistent performance was that Staley’s scheme caused many of the players to regress, but his 52.9 PFF grade highlights his inability to cover anybody in the passing game and the struggles he had defending the run. Besides Murray’s high tackle count, he has not been the elite defensive player he was supposed to be. The Chargers chose not to pick up his fifth-year option last summer. Murray’s chances of returning are slim to none.
Prediction: Free agency
LB Tanner Muse
Although Muse is a defensive player, he was utilized on special teams for the Chargers. He recorded two total tackles in the limited opportunities he had since he suffered a knee injury. Muse’s athleticism is a cheap option for Ryan Ficken’s special teams unit.
Prediction: Re-sign
QB Easton Stick
With Justin Herbert injured the last few weeks of the season, Stick had the chance to prove himself but couldn’t help the Chargers earn a win. Although Stick did what he could, his skill set seemed to be unsuccessful in the Los Angeles system.
Prediction: Free agency
OL Cameron Tom
Tom didn’t see much playing time in the 2023 season and was signed to the active roster from the practice squad after Chargers starting center Will Clapp was placed on injured reserve. Tom is a veteran end-of-the-roster type of guy at this point in his career. I don’t think the Southern Mississippi Alum returns.
Prediction: Free agency
TE Nick Vannett
The Chargers signed Vannett to the active roster in November. The veteran is likely to leave Los Angeles since Greg Roman’s new offensive scheme will likely include his own guys.
Prediction: Free agency
DT Nick Williams
Williams played several snaps early in the 2023 season due to injuries plaguing the defensive line. The veteran interior defensive lineman didn’t offer much to the Chargers through his 65 total snaps. Williams didn’t generate many pressures and recorded only one run stop.
Prediction: Free agency
