How the Chargers Plan to Spend Their Cap Space
The Los Angeles Chargers hold the 22nd overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, a far cry from the fifth overall pick they held just last year. This shift is a testament to their unexpected 11-6 record and a wild-card round appearance, which has put them ahead of schedule in their rebuild. With one of the most flexible salary-cap scenarios in the league, the Chargers are estimated to have the sixth-most cap space, according to Overthecap.com. This financial cushion will be crucial as they address pressing needs at offensive line, receiver, and on the defensive front.
General Manager Joe Hortiz faces the daunting task of deciding the futures of 12 key players who are free agents after significant contributions. Coach Jim Harbaugh, in his characteristic enthusiasm, called the 2024 Chargers his "favorite ball team [he’s] been on" and expressed a desire to keep the roster as intact as possible. While financial constraints will make this challenging, the Chargers have already made a significant move by locking in starting safety Elijah Molden with a three-year contract extension. Another potential returnee is defensive tackle Poona Ford, who anchored the run defense and showed impressive versatility with a career-best three sacks and nine quarterback hits. Hortiz’s ability to navigate the cap and retain key players will be crucial as the Chargers aim to build a more cohesive and resilient team.
The Future of Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack
Joey Bosa, one of the league’s premier edge rushers, restructured his contract in 2024 to take a pay cut, but his hefty $36.4 million cap hit, coupled with a diminishing performance and a growing injury list, makes his return unlikely. If the Chargers decide to trade or cut Bosa before the new league year, they stand to save $25.36 million. This decision will not only impact the team’s financial flexibility but also reshuffle the defensive lineup.
Khalil Mack, 34, is an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career. Despite his age, Mack remains a formidable force on the edge, and Hortiz has made it clear that he wants Mack back. "Absolutely," Hortiz said when asked about Mack’s future immediately after the season. Mack’s experience, leadership, and continued effectiveness make him a valuable asset, and his return could solidify the defensive front. However, the Chargers will need to carefully weigh the financial implications of re-signing Mack against their other roster needs.
Hortiz’s Draft Decisions: A Crucial Opportunity
General Manager Joe Hortiz’s draft performance last year was nothing short of stellar. Five of the team’s top six draft picks turned into regular contributors, with four flashing star potential. Among these, fifth-round cornerbacks Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart took on starting roles, demonstrating their value and versatility. In a pre-NFL scouting combine media Zoom call, NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah described this year’s college prospects as a "starters draft" full of pro-ready players, though some positions may lack star power.
After prioritizing the trenches by selecting right tackle Joe Alt with their first pick last year, the Chargers may opt for a skill player to complement quarterback Justin Herbert. Jeremiah suggested Michigan’s pass-catching tight end Colston Loveland or North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton as late first-round options. These players could provide the dynamic and versatile support Herbert needs to elevate his game and the team’s performance.
Enhancing the Receiver Room
The Chargers’ receiving corps is due for a significant overhaul. Rookie Ladd McConkey was the group’s only consistent force, and the lack of depth and reliability was evident throughout the season. Joshua Palmer, the Chargers’ 2021 third-round draft pick, is a free agent for the first time after finishing third on the team with 584 yards receiving on 39 catches. D.J. Chark Jr. and Simi Fehoko will also hit the open market after injury-riddled seasons.
Bengals star receiver Tee Higgins has been a top free-agent name, but the 26-year-old could be franchise-tagged for the second consecutive season or re-signed to a new contract before becoming available. Another intriguing possibility is the return of Mike Williams, who the Chargers cut to manage the salary cap. Williams, drafted by the Chargers in 2017, could bring familiarity and chemistry back to the offense. His return would provide a significant boost to the receiver room and help stabilize the passing game.
Upgrading the Offensive Line
Coach Jim Harbaugh praised the Chargers’ tackle duo of Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater as the best in the NFL, but the deficiencies on the interior line were starkly evident in the wild-card loss to Houston, where Justin Herbert was sacked four times and hit nine more. Center Bradley Bozeman, a free agent, is valued for his experience and leadership but has struggled in pass protection. Among the Chargers’ starting offensive linemen, Bozeman was fourth in pass-blocking grades, per Pro Football Focus, surpassing only Trey Pipkins III.
Left guard Zion Johnson is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the team will need to decide whether to invest in his development or seek an upgrade. Upgrading the interior line is critical to protecting Herbert and providing a stable foundation for the offense. The Chargers will need to balance their cap space carefully and explore both free agency and the draft to find the right solutions.
Setting the Stage for "Version 2.0"
The Chargers are on the cusp of a significant transition, and the decisions they make this spring will shape their future. With a flexible salary cap and a talented young core, they have the opportunity to address their most pressing needs and build a more competitive team. Coach Jim Harbaugh’s vision of "Version 2.0" is ambitious, and the success of this rebuild will depend on the team’s ability to make strategic decisions in free agency and the draft. Whether it’s through retaining key players, acquiring new talent, or developing their young stars, the Chargers must find the right mix to put themselves over the top and achieve the success they have been striving for.
