The Los Angeles Chargers returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2018, so by any measure, it was a successful season for coach Brandon Staley. And they did that despite ending the regular season with 13 players on injured reserve — including tackle Rashawn Slater and cornerback J.C. Jackson.
Still, there’s plenty of room for growth in LA. They’ll try to take the next step this offseason, with decisions pending on more than 20 free agents, several cut candidates, and how to address their team needs.
Los Angeles Chargers Offseason Preview: Maximize Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert is one of the best quarterback talents of this era. So, why hasn’t he put up stats commensurate with his abilities?
Herbert threw by far the most passes in the AFC (699) and yet had 16 fewer touchdown passes than likely MVP Patrick Mahomes. Herbert ranked 11th in QBR (58.4) and 12th in passer rating (93.2) but 27th in yards per attempt (6.8).
Joe Lombardi — the Chargers’ beleaguered offensive coordinator — deserves scrutiny for not designing a scheme that maximizes Herbert’s elite arm talent. But he’s not the only reason LA was not more explosive.
The Chargers had no receiver ranked in the top 10 in average separation, and just one in the top 20: Keenan Allen (3.6 yards per target).
LA needs to add speed on offense and toughness on defense. The Chargers ranked last in yards per carry allowed (5.4).
With a challenging cap situation, the Chargers will need to hit on a high percentage of their seven draft picks.
Chargers’ 2023 Salary Cap Space
According to Spotrac, the Chargers were over the 2023 salary cap by $9.6 million as of early January, giving them the fifth-worst situation in the NFL.
That figure includes less than $1 million in dead cap and $3.7 million in rollover space. It is based on an estimated $225 million NFL salary cap in 2023.
The exact cap figure will not be known until the NFL announces it in early March.
Chargers Free Agents 2023
The following Chargers players are set to hit free agency. (Restricted free agents are noted with the abbreviation RFA, exclusive rights free agents by ERFA.)
- G Oday Aboushi
- S Nasir Adderley
- WR Michael Bandy (ERFA)
- CB Bryce Callahan
- WR Deandre Carter
- C Will Clapp
- DT Christian Covington
- QB Chase Daniel
- DT Tyeler Davison
- P Cameron Dicker (ERFA)
- DT Breiden Fehoko (ERFA)
- DE Morgan Fox
- WR Jalen Guyton (RFA)
- RT Storm Norton (RFA)
- TE Donald Parham (RFA)
- OT Trey Pipkins
- LB Troy Reeder
- TE Richard Rodgers
- P J.K. Scott
- QB Easton Stick
- LB Drue Tranquill
- ILB Kyle Van Noy
Safety Nasir Adderley
Spotrac’s calculated market value: Three years, $26.4 million ($8.8 million AAV)
Overview: Adderley set a new career high in interceptions by racing over from centerfield and high-pointing a pass from Ryan Tannehill in a Week 15 win over the Tennessee Titans. It was a worthy inclusion of any defender’s highlight reel — and an exclamation mark on the best coverage season of his young career.
Linebacker Drue Tranquill
Spotrac’s calculated market value: One year, $4 million ($4 million AAV)
Overview: In Year 4, Tranquill became an every-down linebacker for the Chargers. Still, he’s probably best suited as a situational player. Tranquill’s increased role at times left him exposed in coverage, but he’s a disruptive player when asked to go forward.
Potential Cut Candidates
- OLB Khalil Mack ($18.4 million in savings)
- CB Michael Davis ($7.4 million)
- C Matt Feiler ($6.5 million)
- DT Austin Johnson ($3.4 million)
Chargers’ Team Needs Heading Into 2023 Offseason
- Wide Receiver
- Offensive Tackle
- Linebacker
- Cornerback
- EDGE