Tag: Chargers Kyzir White

LB Kyzir White wanted to finish career with Chargers

One of the most head-scratching decisions to this day was the Chargers’ decision not to re-sign Kyzir White.

One of the most head-scratching decisions to this day was the Chargers not re-signing linebacker Kyzir White last offseason.

White was one of the most impactful players in the blue and gold last season, yet he never got a contract extension offer.

“I was mad because I wanted to come back,” White said, per Los Angeles Times’ Jeff Miller. “I didn’t want to go anywhere else. I wanted to finish my career there, be there for 10-plus years.”

Los Angeles always had a talented player in White, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2018. However, he rarely got to show his talents throughout the most of his time with the Bolts.

Whether it was due to injuries that limited him in the early years or because his role was never deciphered in Gus Bradley’s defense, White was always lost in the shuffle.

Then in Brandon Staley’s system, which perfectly catered to his strengths as a player, White was nothing less than dominant every week.

With his combination of play speed, burst, and instincts to react quickly, White was an integral piece on defense against the run, in coverage, and as a blitzer.

White finished with 144 tackles, seven for loss, three passes defended, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a sack.

Linebacker is not a premium position in Staley’s defense, which could explain why White never was offered to come back. Instead, he settled on a one-year, $3 million deal with the Eagles.

White took his talents to Philadelphia, appearing in 17 games, finishing with 110 tackles, seven passes defended, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

White’s contributions helped the Eagles get to Super Bowl LVII, where they will take on the Chiefs this Sunday.

“I’m here on the biggest stage,” White said. “So I can’t really be that mad, right?”

1 pending free agent each NFL team should bring back in 2022

NFL free agency 2022 starts just over two months from now. Here’s a look at who teams should keep among their pending free agents.

NFL contracts not signed beyond 2021 expire at 4 p.m. ET March 16, meaning that teams have from the end of the season until that time to sign their pending free agents to contract extensions. A few will get tagged (the franchise tag period begins Feb. 22), some will get extensions, but it’s a good bet most of the players set to reach unrestricted free agency will do so.

But if we were in charge, these are the players we’d keep — one per team as decided by the NFL Wire staff.

Chargers LB Kyzir White playing his way into contract extension

Chargers LB Kyzir White has been one of the most impactful defenders this season.

There were hardly any positives from the Ravens’ beatdown on the Chargers on Sunday afternoon.

But amid Los Angeles’ ugly performance, I could not help but notice one of the very few bright spots; linebacker Kyzir White.

With Kenneth Murray and Drue Tranquill, White was the man in the middle of the defense.

On the first defensive possession, White raised my eyebrows when he was utilized as a blitzer. He avoided a blocker and looked like he was shot out of a cannon to close in on quarterback Lamar Jackson and force an incompletion.

In between his handful of tackles, White picked off Jackson on a ball thrown directly to him right before the half.

That wasn’t the only one he got his hands on, however.

Minutes before the final whistle blew, White nabbed another interception on a dropped pass by wide receiver Rashod Bateman.

White finished the game with eight tackles, two interceptions, a tackle for loss and one quarterback hit.

His two picks made him the first Chargers linebacker to have multiple interceptions in a game since Week 14 of the 2008 season.

The Chargers have always had a talented player in White but rarely got to see his true colors.

Whether it was due to injuries that hampered him in the early years of his career or playing in a limited role in Gus Bradley’s defense, White was always lost in the shuffle.

Now in Brandon Staley’s system, which perfectly caters to his skill set, White has been nothing less than dominant. With his combination of play speed, burst, and instincts to quickly react, White has been impactful in coverage and against the run.

White has 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, two interceptions, and a sack through six games.

Right now, White is currently making $2,183,000 on a contract that is about to expire. He is due for a raise and the Chargers should make sure that they’re the ones to give it to him.

While Los Angeles has other notable soon-to-be free agents, like Mike Williams, Linval Joseph, Uchenna Nwosu, Kyler Fackrell, and Oday Aboushi, White should be atop the priority list.

White has proven that he provides availability, stability, and play-making ability at a vital position. He has earned every penny, and re-signing him would go a long way to defensive continuity and success.

As I’ve always said, play your playmakers.