The Los Angeles Chargers have already delivered a headline-grabbing offseason with the hire of Jim Harbaugh, luring him back to the NFL after a decade away.
Already, the former San Francisco 49ers head coach and national champion with Michigan is in the process of making significant roster moves. With free agency set to begin Monday with the legal tampering period, time will tell if the Bolts and Harbaugh grab more major headlines in the league’s second-biggest market.
Here are the latest news and notes from LA.
Los Angeles Chargers Free Agency News and Rumors
Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa Officially Out?
One thing became certain on Saturday: Harbaugh and the Chargers are in the process of having two new leading pass rushers for 2024.
First reported by NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic, the Chargers are open to trading both Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.
Both defenders, who combined for 23.5 sacks last season, are among what Russini described as “many” Chargers veterans the team is considering dealing away. Russini adds that there are other teams willing to see if the Chargers release both edge rushers if they can’t find trade partners.
Even despite Mack delivering 17 sacks and Bosa being a longtime face of the Bolts’ defense, both men face a nebulous future in LA.
Bosa carries a cap hit of $36.6 million. That number is higher for Mack, as his cap hit is set at $38.5 million. The Chargers are already in the red for cap space at negative $21 million ahead of free agency week.
Eric Kendricks Out After Only One Season
The Chargers decided to sever ties with inside linebacker Eric Kendricks on Tuesday, March 5.
Kendricks brought a Pro Bowl and All-Pro background with the Minnesota Vikings when he arrived in LA in the 2023 offseason. He also brought seven consecutive seasons of 100 tackles or more in tow when he was lured to the Chargers.
During training camp, the California native (grew up in Fresno and played collegiately for UCLA) told reporters how fortunate he was to return to the Golden State.
“I’ve been just telling my wife I’ve been having so much fun smiling in the California sunshine,” Kendricks said. “It’s crazy how everything works out. I really feel blessed.”
Unfortunately for Kendricks, he’ll be searching for his second NFL team in two seasons. He tallied 117 tackles for the Chargers, including 79 solo stops and seven that were completed behind the line of scrimmage.
Kendricks agreed to a two-year, $13.2 million deal when he signed with the Bolts last year.
Were Tenders Given Out by Chargers?
While Kendricks is officially out and the Bosa/Mack duo begins their separation process with the Chargers, the new regime did give out two tenders.
The recipients of the franchise tenders? Tackle Foster Sarrell and placekicker Cameron Dicker.
Dicker has become one of the league’s top kickers, making a combined 52 of 55 of his field goals in the last two seasons. He hit 31 attempts through the uprights last season.
Sarrell emerged as a key reserve, earning action in 24 games from 2022 to 2023, including starting in three contests.
By accepting the tender offer, Dicker and Sarrell officially become restricted free agents for the 2025 season.
Keenan Allen’s Future Pending
The Bolts are bound to have two new top pass rushers for Harbaugh in 2024, with Bosa and Mack likely heading for the exit. But what about having a new leading wide receiver?
Keenan Allen has been a longtime leader in the WR room for LA. Plus, he’s coming off a career-best 108 receptions in 2023. Yet, he’s facing a murky future.
Allen has one more year left on his current four-year, $80 million deal. Like Bosa and Mack, the six-time Pro Bowler Allen carries a cap hit number in the $30 million range ($34.7 million).
The longtime Charger, though, told the NFL Network’s Cam Wolfe at the Pro Bowl that he believes he won’t be leaving LA, even saying, “I don’t see myself going anywhere.”
More recently, via ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler at the NFL Combine, Allen appears to have a strong chance of playing for Harbaugh and staying with the Bolts.
“I’m leaving Indianapolis optimistic about Allen returning, possibly on a new or reworked deal,” Fowler wrote Sunday, March 3.
KEEP READING: Chargers 2024 NFL Mock Draft
This points to Allen playing on a restructured contract if Harbaugh has visions of using him for his offense in 2024.
But while Allen has a higher probability of returning to LA, Fowler doesn’t see fellow Charger veteran WR Mike Williams returning following his ACL tear. The insider points to Williams potentially getting released.
Every move. Every team. Don’t miss a thing with PFN’s NFL Free Agency Tracker.
