The Los Angeles Chargers are set to embark one of the most polarizing offseasons in over the past decade. Not only will the franchise have a slew of notable soon-to-be free agents that they will have to decide on, they will be looking for a replacement to quarterback Philip Rivers.
ESPN’s Bill Barnwell came out with his annual NFL Offseason Dominoes – which is a predictions column about possible moves we could see in free agency that could cause a domino effect.
To address the quarterback position, Barnwell listed two potential suitors: Tom Brady and Cam Newton.
For Brady, Barnwell has L.A. signing the 42-year old to a massive deal for five years worth $180 million.
In desperate need of both a reliable quarterback and a marquee player to sell tickets in their new stadium, the Chargers find both in one fell swoop by inking the greatest player in NFL history. Brady’s deal crucially includes three guaranteed years, meaning that L.A. is committing to Brady’s long-discussed plan to play until he’s 45.
The Chargers are set to have the most salary cap space available that they’ve had in years, but it’s hard to believe that the team would write him that big of a paycheck, especially when he’s up there in age.
For Newton, Barnwell has Los Angeles giving up a second-round pick in the upcoming NFL Draft to acquire the 30-year old.
With Philip Rivers entering free agency, the Chargers are left with Tyrod Taylor and Easton Stick on their depth chart. Adding Newton is a rare chance to acquire a 30-year-old former MVP in what could be the middle of his career, and the Chargers can install a roughly similar scheme for all three of their quarterbacks. Newton is signed through only the 2020 season.
Out of the two possibilities, trading for Newton is more reasonable.
If they were to work a deal to only dish one or two draft picks, not including their first-round, the Bolts could benefit from having Newton since he fits what coach Anthony Lynn is looking for at the position and he’s easily a top-10 quarterback when healthy.
One player that the Chargers have to decide whether or not they’re going to be back next season is running back Melvin Gordon.
For the first scenario, Barnwell has the Texans signing Gordon to a deal. To replace the former Wisconsin product, Los Angeles signs RB Lamar Miller to a one-year deal.
Miller missed all of 2019 with a torn ACL but should be ready for Week 1. The former Texans back was a league-average starter before his injury, so the Chargers could get a relative bargain — something like $2 million — in using him as half of a rotation with Austin Ekeler.
Miller never really saw the field in 2019 because he had a severe knee injury that kept him off. With him expected to be at full health, he could be a reliable option in the backfield, and it wouldn’t cost the team all that much.
Scenario No. 2 sees Gordon joining the Redskins. The Chargers then sign Kenyan Drake to a one-year deal worth $8 million.
Drake isn’t quite an exact replacement for Gordon, but the Cardinals improved dramatically on offense after he took over lead back responsibilities from David Johnson. If Drake doesn’t see a great multiyear deal on the table, he could take this one-year pact and head back into free agency after a stellar full season.
Nearly halfway through the 2019 season, Drake joined the Cardinals where he raised some eyebrows. In eight games, he rushed 123 times for 643 yards and eight touchdowns. Unlike Miller, there are no durability concerns with Drake.
Basing it off his play from last season, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he demands more money. But if Drake hits the market, he would be a viable option to shore up the backfield.
The final scenario has the Buccaneers signing Gordon. Not only that, Barnwell has the Patriots trading a third and fifth-round selection for Austin Ekeler. The Chargers then sign LeSean McCoy to a one-year deal.
The veteran running back was reportedly negotiating with the Chargers in August before agreeing to terms with the Chiefs, and while McCoy ended up winning a Super Bowl in Kansas City, it was as a healthy scratch. Going to the Chargers would give him a chance at a starting job, which he probably wouldn’t get elsewhere.
Gordon signing with Tampa Bay and Los Angeles signing McCoy makes sense, but I don’t see the Chargers dishing away one of their most productive play-makers, even if they’re able to get some draft capital from it.