Jim Harbaugh isn’t the only one inside the Los Angeles Chargers facility who will have Pro Bowl talent to work with in Year 1 at the helm. So will his newly hired defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.
But for Minter, his unit is likely to be without two incumbent All-Pro defenders once the 2024 season arrives.
Jesse Minter Hints Chargers Stars Are on Their Way Out
In a 1-on-1 conversation with Chargers insider Daniel Popper of The Athletic on Thursday, Minter hinted that he’ll need two pass rushers to step up immediately for L.A.
It’s because there’s the belief that two veteran Chargers, who also happen to be the tone-setters of their pass rush, are on their way out.
“Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa are both set for cap hits of more than $30 million in 2024, according to Over the Cap, and it will be very difficult to keep both on the roster on their current contracts,” Popper wrote in his conversation with the new Chargers DC.
Minter’s words to Popper later signified that there’s nothing he can do to persuade the front office to maintain both Pro Bowl defenders.
“Minter said those cap decisions are ‘above my pay grade,'” Popper said of his interview with the former Michigan assistant under Harbaugh. “But he did offer this: ‘As a coach, that’s what you’d love. I’d love to have those three.’”
Who is the third player Minter is referring to? That would be the 2023 breakout rookie out of USC, Tuli Tuipulotu.
“Tuipulotu is a rising star,” Popper wrote.
Tuipulotu was drafted due to his versatility in attacking the passer, having shown plenty of prowess whether he lined up in a two-point stance or placed his hand in the grass and then fired off. He started in 11 games and produced 4.5 sacks last season.
If Bosa and Mack are on their way out, Minter has the 6’3″, 266-pounder to build around.
Why Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa Could Get Released
While both veteran rushers are aging, the Chargers severing ties with both will be considered a highly difficult decision for the front office.
Mack delivered a career-best 17 sacks at the age of 32 in 2023. He produced five multi-sack efforts — including the astonishing six-sack tally against the Las Vegas Raiders on Oct. 1.
Bosa, however, is a different story due to his issues over the last two seasons. He’s been limited to 14 total games with only nine combined starts. He hasn’t reached double-digit sacks since recording 10.5 QB takedowns in 2021 — which was also his last Pro Bowl season. However, he did improve his sack totals to 6.5 in 2023 after settling for only 2.5 the previous season.
Per Spotrac, Bosa doesn’t become a free agent under his current deal until 2026. But still, with a base salary of $15 million for 2024, retaining him on the roster at that figure would be considerably expensive. The four-time Pro Bowler is already considered a cut candidate for the upcoming free agency cycle.
At 33 and with his recent string of injuries, Bosa is likely headed for a new home, with some fans believing he could team alongside younger brother Nick with the San Francisco 49ers.
Mack, meanwhile, officially becomes an unrestricted free agent in 2025. But he’s due to make even more money than Bosa for base salary — $17,550,000 to be exact — for this upcoming season.
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And like Bosa, Mack is another dealing with Father Time. Yet, if the Chargers opt to trade Mack, there will more than likely be multiple interested teams given his age-defying 2023 production. Teams seeking to go further in the playoffs, or take the next step toward the Vince Lombardi Trophy, will likely be highly interested in Mack.
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