The NFL’s free agency compensation window closed on Monday, which means any free agent who signs after Monday no longer would net their former club a compensatory pick.
As it stands now, the Chargers are projected to receive a third-round compensatory selection in 2021 after losing quarterback Philip Rivers to free agency according to Over The Cap.
Rivers signed a one-year deal worth $25 million with the Colts earlier this offseason.
There was the possibility of Los Angeles gaining another compensatory pick for running back Melvin Gordon (fifth-round), but he waited until yesterday to sign, which means they didn’t gain anything out of it.
The league gives out 32 compensatory picks from the third through seventh rounds of the draft each year based on a selected pool of free agents lost. Among that, the largest 32 contracts signed by free agents based on average per-year value will net a team compensation.
A formula takes salary, playing time and postseason accolades into consideration to value players and determine whether teams should be compensated for those players leaving in free agency. But the compensated-for players are also determined by a formula dictated by individual teams’ gains and losses of unrestricted free agents each year.
The picks won’t be determined until after the 2021 season, but here’s to hoping that L.A. is able to acquire an eighth draft pick next year, and an additional Day 2 selection for that matter.