Tag: Chargers depth chart

Hayden Hurst on joining the Chargers: ‘It was kind of a no-brainer to come here’

Chargers new tight end Hayden Hurst attributed the offensive scheme and familiar faces to why he made the move to Los Angeles. 

Chargers new tight end Hayden Hurst attributed the offensive scheme and familiar faces to why he made the move to Los Angeles. 

“For me, it was kind of a no-brainer to come here,” Hurst said. 

Hurst was the No. 25 overall pick by the Ravens in 2018 so he already had some connections to various Chargers personnel. 

“[Chargers General Manager] Joe Hortiz, [Chargers Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman], [Run Game Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach] Andy [Bischoff], getting back into the Harbaugh system — that’s who drafted me and brought me into the league, gave me my first opportunity,” Hurst said.

“It’s a lot of broad strokes from the Baltimore days — 2018-19, when I was there,” Hurst later added. “They’re reliant upon their tight ends, the receivers have to get open. It’s going to be a hell of a run game. It’s just cool seeing that playbook pop up there, familiar words, just kind of getting back to my roots.”

Under offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Hurst experienced how the run game would operate under Roman’s system. Though it was just one year with Roman in Baltimore, Hurst knew coming to Los Angeles the level of dominance on the ground the Chargers could have. 

“You have to be solid up front,” Hurst said about Roman’s run game. “You have to have smart guys all across the board — tight ends, offensive linemen, running backs. I think the most important part has just been that wherever he’s been, it’s just been a collective effort.

“When I was in Baltimore, those were two of the closest teams that I’ve ever been on, just guys fighting for one another,” Hurst continued. “It’s not that individualized stuff like you see in the NFL, it’s really a family. It’s a family.

“It’s what I signed up for, playing for the guy next to me, giving it my all to make sure that he gets his job done,” Hurst added. “It’s just a collective effort. I think that’s the beauty of it.”

Hurst spent two seasons with the Falcons before signing with the Bengals in 2022 and the Panthers last season.

Hurst has two seasons with at least 50 receptions. His best year was with Atlanta in 2020, when he had 58 catches for 571 yards and six touchdowns.

Hurst knows how important his position at tight end is for the offense to run successfully.

“You have to be able to do everything,” Hurst said about tight ends in the scheme. “Obviously, besides quarterback, I think that tight end, in this offense, probably has the most on their plate with run game protection stuff and pass game stuff.

“You have to be on your P’s and Q’s,” Hurst added. “From what I know of Andy and G-Ro, there’s not going to be specialized stuff, you have to be able to do everything. You have to be a well-rounded tight end in this offense.”

Although this is Hurst’s first time playing for Jim Harbaugh, he’s had experience with his brother, John Harbaugh, so the philosophy is quite similar. 

“He’s just very positive,” Hurst said of Jim Harbaugh. “A lot of coaches make this about themselves and their egos get in the way. But with him, he just wants to win, and he wants the guys to get better. He wants guys to get healthy. He wants guys to have success.

“Even in meetings, I’ve met him over the phone, but just seeing him in-person, how eccentric he is in meetings — he’s getting up, he’s showing guys how to do stuff. It just makes it fun because I think we all know that this can be a really, really long season if you don’t have the right people in place, it can kind of drag along,” Hurst added. “But, if you have a guy like that in the building who’s just enthusiastic about football and wants to win, then that’s infectious.”

Harbaugh has made it clear that he wants the Chargers to play physical football this season, and Hurst is eager to demonstrate this mentality on the field. 

Chargers’ Jamaree Salyer earns salary boost with incentive system

The NFL announced its performance-based pay distribution for the 2023 season, and Jamaree Salyer was among the top 25 users.

The NFL announced its performance-based pay distribution for the 2023 season, and Jamaree Salyer was among the top 25 users.

Salyer earned more than $840,282 in the bonus program, a significant bump from his base salary last season.

The program rewards players with lower salaries who get a lot of playing time.

Salyer started all 17 games for the Chargers and played 99 percent of the team’s offensive snaps at right guard.

In his rookie season, Salyer started 15 games at left tackle in place of Rashawn Slater, who suffered a biceps injury in Week 3 that required surgery.

The top earner in the bonus program was Ravens guard John Simpson, a 2020 fourth-round pick who got $974,613.

Chargers ready for Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to take step forward

The Chargers are now looking to Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to step up in 2024.

The offseason has brought a myriad of roster changes for the Chargers but none is most notable than at wide receiver.

With Keenan Allen and Mike Williams gone, the Chargers are now looking to fourth-year Joshua Palmer and former first-round draft pick Quentin Johnston to step up in 2024.

General manager Joe Hortiz said that the upcoming season is Palmer’s opportunity to thrive as a starter. 

“I’m really excited about Josh,” Hortiz said, per the team’s official website. “I think he is at that point in his career where he is a vet now and he’s worked under two receivers.

“When he’s been given opportunities, he’s been on the field when those two haven’t been and he’s produced for us,” Hortiz added. “I’ve gotten to know him pretty good over the past couple six weeks I’ve been here, so I expect him to step up his game.”

Since he was drafted in 2021, Palmer has 143 catches for 1,703 yards and nine touchdowns.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh believes Johnston will take great strides this year as he continues to develop. 

“We’re excited about Quentin, his opportunity,” Harbaugh said.

Hortiz also added: “Every time you put on the tape, you see the talent and I expect him to make the jump. I know we have the right coaches to help him make the jump. I feel good about the guys that are here.”

As a rookie, Johnston had 38 catches for 431 yards and two touchdowns during the 2023 season.

Despite the optimism towards Palmer and Johnston, the Chargers still need to solidify the positional room, which could be done with a veteran signing in free agency and the draft.

Watch: Highlights of Chargers new CB Kristian Fulton

Check out the Chargers’ newest cornerback in action.

The Chargers added to their cornerback room with the signing of Kristian Fulton.

Fulton has battled the injuries and struggled last season, but he has flashed throughout his pro career and he is still young, being only 25 years old.

The hope is that Fulton can stay healthy and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and the rest of the coaching staff can revitalize his play.

To get familiar with the newest member of the team, here are some highlights of Fulton.

 

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz talks navigating salary cap, keeping Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa

The Chargers lost two offensive players, but were able to keep two defensive studs.

The Chargers were in an unfavorable position being over the salary cap, meaning they would have to move some star talent, which consisted of Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa.

General manager Joe Hortiz knew the possibility of keeping them all was unlikely while trying to free up cap space this offseason. 

Lo and behold, they managed to keep two of their defensive stars, Mack and Bosa. 

“We certainly did what we did with them and they certainly gained things on their end, too. It was a win-win for both of us,” Hortiz said. “I had conversations with Joey prior to it and I talked to Khalil after. You know how much they want to be here and that’s exciting to me. We want to bring great players in here so they can see it.”

Both Bosa and Mack made it clear that they wanted to remain in the Powder Blues for the Harbaugh era, as they were willing to rework their deals and help free up money for the Bolts. 

“I’ve been here for six weeks and this place is pretty cool. This organization is great. It really is. This is a destination place,” Hortiz said. “Being around Jim, guys are communicating with him. They want to be here. It shows me they want to be here.”

“…I will say this: I’m very happy we were able to get something done with Khalil and Joey. I expect that they will help our defense tremendously. I know that when they have been on the field together offenses have to account for them.”

With Mack and Bosa both returning, the defense will have star power. Mack is coming off one of his best seasons. Bosa battled a foot injury last year. The hope is that they remain healthy and consistent so Chargers fans can see both of them on the field together and wreak havoc.

Chargers GM Joe Hortiz explored ‘multiple options’ with Keenan Allen before trade

Joe Hortiz spoke for the first time since Keenan Allen was traded to the Bears.

Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz spoke to local reporters on Thursday for the first time since wide receiver Keenan Allen was traded to the Bears a week ago.

Asked about Allen, Hortiz said they explored “multiple options” before their eventual final measure.

“There was extensions, there was everything. We kind of went down every path, and in the end, this was the one that fit us best and fit him best.”

Allen was asked about a potential extension with Chicago at his introductory Bears presser last week. There seems to be mutual interest on both sides in getting something done there, as the former Chargers’ receiver said something could be done “down the line”. While nothing is imminent, he said he expects to remain a Bear past the 2024 season.

It’s worth noting that the extension offered to Allen and what the star receiver was willing to take are probably different figures. Mike Evans received a two-year, $52 million contract extension with Tampa Bay earlier this offseason. As Allen aims for what could be his final big-money NFL extension, it wouldn’t be surprising to see that deal used as a framework by his team.

Considering it’s been reported that the team asked him to take a pay cut prior to the trade along with Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, it seems unlikely that the AAV or guaranteed structure offered on a new deal probably would’ve ended up satisfying Allen.

The Chargers will technically be more rich with cap space next offseason than the Bears. But as the Bears look to be staring down a cost-controlled, five-year contract with star prospect Caleb Williams, it’s understandable that they may feel more confident in their ability to complete this deal.

We’ll likely never know what went down with Allen and the front office or what the financials were exactly. The pressure of getting a proper plan of WR succession going at April’s draft has ratcheted in intensity one week after the Chargers moved on from both Allen and Mike Williams.

Chargers sign LB Denzel Perryman

The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face.

The Chargers signed linebacker Denzel Perryman, the team announced on Monday.

Perryman, 31, spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Chargers. In 69 total games (51 starts), he amassed 349 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, five sacks, eight quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and three interceptions.

During the 2021 offseason, Perryman was signed by the Panthers before being traded to the Raiders a few months later. He had the best season of his career, racking up 154 tackles, and was voted to his first Pro Bowl.

After two seasons with Las Vegas, Perryman was signed by the Texans last offseason. In 13 games, Perryman recorded 76 tackles, six tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and three passes defensed.

Perryman has been hit with injuries throughout his lengthy NFL career. But when he is on the field, he provides the defense with a physical and hard-hitting presence when coming downhill.

Chargers sign OL Bradley Bozeman

The Chargers fill a void at center.

The Chargers are signing offensive lineman Bradley Bozeman.

With Corey Linsley headed toward retirement due to medical issues, Los Angeles needed a starting center. Bozeman will fill that void.

The Bolts are emphasizing the running game, and Bozeman’s strength is paving the way on the ground. His 71.6 run-blocking grade since 2021 is 11th among all Centers over that period.

Selected by the Ravens in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft, Bozeman started 49 games across four seasons, with most being at left guard.

Bozeman joined the Panthers ahead of the 2022 season, and he re-signed with the team on a three-year, $18 million contract last offseason. He started 28 of his 34 appearances.

This past season, Bozeman was chosen as the Panthers’ Walter Payton Man of the Year Award nominee.

Chargers re-signing QB Easton Stick

The Chargers are bringing back a familiar face.

The Chargers are re-signing quarterback Easton Stick, according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo.

Stick, a fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft, had served as the backup with zero experience as a starter until this past season when Justin Herbert was sidelined with a finger injury.

Stick went on to start the final four games and finished with 1,129 passing yards, three touchdowns and one interception while adding 144 rushing yards and a score on 27 carries.

With a new regime, it wouldn’t have been surprising if they addressed the backup quarterback spot with another veteran. But given Stick’s athleticism paired with Greg Roman’s run-heavy offense, the pairing made sense.

Additionally, the Chargers brought back Shane Day to be the team’s quarterbacks coach. He previously worked with Stick in 2021 and 2022.

Chargers’ Khalil Mack named to PFF’s top 101 players from 2023

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2023.

Despite a dud of a season, the Chargers still had a few key contributors.

Pro Football Focus released their top 101 players from 2023, and Khalil Mack made the list, checking in at No. 40.

Mack bounced back in 2023 and posted his best performance since at least 2020. He tallied 88 quarterback pressures, headed by 18 sacks, on his way to an elite PFF grade that showed well in every facet of play.

After considering retiring following the Chargers’ playoff collapse to the Jaguars, Mack had one of the best years of his career in his 10th NFL season.

He set a career-high in sacks for a season with 17 and became the 43rd player in NFL history to hit the 100-sack mark. A menace off the edge, Mack not only got after the quarterback at a high level, but he was also a key contributor at defending the run.

In a season where the defense struggled, Mack remained a bright spot that shined on a weekly basis. For his efforts, he was named to his eighth Pro Bowl.