After hiring head coach Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz this offseason, the Los Angeles Chargers face two distinct offseason paths.
Will the Bolts double down on their existing veteran talent, hoping Harbaugh’s penchant for instant turnarounds will apply in 2024? Or will they part ways with incumbent options and reset in 2025?
Here are the internal free agents the Chargers will have to consider over the coming weeks.
Who Are the Los Angeles Chargers’ Upcoming Free Agents?
RB Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler has never done anything but produce in the NFL, but it’s the wrong time to be a free agent running back. Ekeler tried to head off free agency by getting an extension — and then requesting a trade — from the Chargers in 2023, but neither strategy worked.
He eventually agreed to a reworked deal with Los Angeles that allowed him to earn an extra $2 million via incentives. But Ekeler, who missed three games with an ankle injury, didn’t meet any of the required incentive thresholds.
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Ekeler will be entering his age-29 campaign next season. The RB market will be flooded with options, including Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Saquon Barkley, D’Andre Swift, and Derrick Henry. Ekeler probably won’t find the sort of contract he’s looking for in 2024, which could push him back to the Chargers.
Los Angeles doesn’t have an Ekeler successor in place. RB2 Joshua Kelley is also a pending free agent, 2022 fourth-round pick Isaiah Spiller has played 99 snaps over two seasons, and 2023 undrafted free agent Elijah Dotson is still an unknown. The Chargers and Ekeler may need each other next year.
TE Gerald Everett
Unlike the 2024 free agent RB market, the FA tight end group isn’t robust. Dalton Schultz will headline next year’s available tight ends, while the Chargers’ Gerald Everett should be part of a second tier that includes Hunter Henry, Noah Fant, and Mike Gesicki.
Everett posted career highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (555) in his 2022 Los Angeles debut. He nearly matched that prodficuiton this past season, but poor quarterback play following Justin Herbert’s injury and a disjointed offensive attack stifled Eveterr’s results.
L.A. also has TE Donald Parham Jr. — who’s flashed when given an opportunity — under contract through 2024. If the Chargers want to give Parham a full-time role, they could move on from Everett and try to locate a cheaper TE2.
CB Michael Davis
The Chargers tried to replace Michael Davis by signing fellow CB J.C. Jackson to a five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2022, but Jackson’s poor play and injury issues allowed Davis to retain his starting role.
Los Angeles admitted its mistake on Jackson and traded him back to the New England Patriots, making Davis all the more crucial to the club’s defensive performance.
Davis had his struggles in 2023, though. He gave up at least five receptions in seven games, and only James Bradberry allowed more touchdowns than Davis’ nine, per PFF. He set career-worst marks in yards per target, yards per completion, and opponent passer rating.
L.A. may want to aim higher opposite Asante Samuel Jr., but their salary cap issues may prevent them from signing a high-profile CB.
LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
Los Angeles already signaled its intentions with Kenneth Murray Jr. when they declined the former first-round pick’s 2024 fifth-year option over the summer.
Murray’s overaggressiveness — both in the run and pass game — has been an issue throughout his career, but he showed more patience as the 2023 campaign has progressed. Still, there’s every reason to think the fifth-year linebacker will be elsewhere next season, especially given that Harbaugh and Hortiz played no role in drafting Murray.
Other Chargers 2024 Free Agents
- QB Will Grier
- QB Easton Stick
- RB Joshua Kelley
- WR Alex Erickson
- WR Jalen Guyton
- TE Nick Vannett
- C Will Clapp
- C Cameron Tom
- EDGE Justin Hollins
- DT Austin Johnson
- DT Nicholas Williams
- LB Blake Lynch (restricted free agent)
- LB Tanner Muse
- LB Amen Ogbongbemiga (RFA)
- CB Essang Bassey
- S Alohi Gilman
- S Jaylinn Hawkins
- S Dean Marlowe
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