Chargers legend believes QB Tom Brady to L.A. makes ‘zero sense’

Former Chargers player isn’t in favor of Tom Brady playing for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020.

The Los Angeles Chargers have been the most popular potential landing spot for quarterback Tom Brady. For the most part, the opinions have been mixed on the 43-year old possibly coming to the City of Angels.

Former Chargers center Nick Hardwick isn’t in favor of the idea. Hardwick believes that Brady going from New England to Los Angeles would be a step down.

“He goes from the New England Patriots, an organization that owns two private 737s with Patriots logos on the side, and then to come out to L.A. and comes to an organization that is not an owner but a renter of a stadium I can’t conceptualize that,” Hardwick said.

Many speculate that Brady would help the Chargers sell tickets in their new stadium that will be opening up this year, but Hardwick isn’t buying it. Instead, he thinks the only reason why he would join the team is to get a head start on his retirement that will likely come after the 2020 season.

“It makes zero sense to me. Other than perhaps he wants to be in the (media) production business and to get closer to that. If you’re Tom, you’re not going somewhere to just kill time. He’s not going somewhere to pick up an additional three years and in my opinion, tarnish your legacy.”

Like Philip Rivers, Brady is set to become a free agent in March. He’s spent the past 20 seasons with the Patriots. Despite his age, he will certainly draw interest from other teams, given his accomplishments throughout his professional career.

Are the Chargers going to make a push for the veteran if they move on from Rivers? That remains to be seen.

4 pending free agents in Super Bowl LIV the Chargers could consider signing

There are four pending free agents in Super Bowl LIV that the Los Angeles Chargers could consider signing.

The biggest game of the year is just days away, as the San Francisco 49ers are set to clash with the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV.

While many around the world are gathering around to watch the contest for entertainment purposes, teams across the league are using this as a part of their evaluation process for the offseason.

Each team will have a slew of soon-to-be free agents that could draw their attention. With that, here are four players that the Los Angeles Chargers should have their eyes on:

WR Demarcus Robinson, Chiefs

Wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams held the positional group down this past season, but there was hardly any production outside of those two, which means that adding a third wideout is an absolute must this offseason.

Robinson would be the perfect addition because he can stretch the field to open things up. He flourishes as a deep ball and after the catch threat, winning with his straight-line speed and creating slivers of separation with his athleticism and route rhythm to give his quarterback a manageable window.

Overshadowed by Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins and rookie Mecole Hardman, Robinson still managed to rack up a career-high 32 catches for 449 yards and four touchdowns during the 2019 regular season.

Arizona State WR Brandon Aiyuk could add dynamic element to Chargers’ offense

The Los Angeles Chargers should have this dynamic playmaker on their radar.

Speed kills.

That’s something that the Los Angeles Chargers have been lacking at the wide receiver position. The talent is there with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams highlighting the group, but they could be touted as one of the best corps in the league if they were to add a dynamic play-maker at the position.

Insert former Arizona State wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk.

Aiyuk was a phenomenal wideout in his two years at Sierra College – a community college in Northern California. He totaled 2,499 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns in his two-year career. He had a few offers, including Alabama, Tennessee, Kansas and Arizona State.

But ASU was one of few schools that actually wanted him to play receiver and a return specialist, not a cornerback, so he elected to play for the Sun Devils. After two years of junior college, Aiyuk was immediately inserted into the wide receiver rotation upon arriving.

In 2018, he caught 33 passes that season for 474 yards and three touchdowns. Little did we know that Aiyuk was about to be in store for a monster senior season after the offense was more tailored to former teammate and current Patriots wideout N’Keal Harry.

Serving as freshman phenom quarterback Jayden Daniel’s go-to guy, Aiyuk was targeted 99 times in 2019, hauling in 65 of them for 1,192 yards and eight touchdowns. Dangerous with the ball in his hands, he was near unstoppable after the catch with 18.3 yards per reception.

In a league where getting open and stretching the field has become a must to have offensive success, there’s no denying that Aiyuk has a skillset that matches what is being needed in today’s NFL.

Listed at 6-foot-1 and 206 pounds, Aiyuk has been blessed with an uncommon blend of burst, agility and track-like long speed.

Aiyuk changes speeds and direction incredibly well. He makes dynamic cuts that showcase tremendous acceleration, putting his foot in the ground without losing any speed and exploding upfield.

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Aiyuk, who’s expected to run in the low 4.4’s, is capable of blowing right by defensive backs on vertical routes if they play in off-man coverage or they simply don’t get their hands on him.

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He’s also explosive as a return specialist. He averaged 34 yards per kick return and 16 yards per punt return. That special teams ability could allow Aiyuk to make an immediate impact for the Chargers, knowing they have struggled to find a consistent return man.

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The area where Aiyuk will have to improve in is being more consistent with using his hands to defeat press coverage. He needs to get better in contested catch situations as he doesn’t have the “go get it” mentality as much to extend throwing windows.

However, Aiyuk’s play-making athleticism is what would be the selling point for the Bolts.

The former Arizona State product is currently being viewed as a top-50 prospect, which means that the second-round is where they would likely have to draft him.

It seems a bit rich to address the wide receiver position that early even though it is a positional group that needs to be solidified. But general manager Tom Telesco could see this as an opportunity to give whoever is behind center another dynamic option.

The thought of Allen in the slot, Williams as the X, Aiyuk as the Z and tight end Hunter Henry would force defensive coordinators to really draw up an efficient game-plan to stop this prolific group on a weekly basis.

Chargers Mailbag: 2020 NFL Draft, Philip Rivers, Joey Bosa, Hunter Henry, Melvin Gordon, offensive line

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez addresses questions regarding the 2020 NFL Draft, Philip Rivers’ future, paying Joey Bosa and Hunter Henry.

Anthony S. — In such a deep offensive line draft and many veteran quarterbacks in free agency, is it more likely that the Chargers make a play for one of the quarterbacks at 6 or do they look at (Isaiah) Simmons or an interior defensive lineman early on?

To me, the Chargers have four glaring roster needs that they need to fulfill during the draft – quarterback, offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback. Since Los Angeles is picking so high – this being the third time they’ve selected in the top-10 in a 15-year span – they’re in a good position to grab their future face of the franchise.

Clemson linebacker/safety Isaiah Simmons has been a big riser, and has been linked to the Chargers with the idea that him and safety Derwin James would make a lethal tandem in the backend of the defense. Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown is the top-ranked player at his position and would be a plug-and-play nose tackle for L.A.

Any other year I could see Simmons or Brown being atop of the Bolts’ big board, but I think the quarterback position takes rein because of where they’re picking and how much of a need it is to find future signal-caller. Even though I am a firm believer of taking talent over need, quarterback is the most important position on the field.

The offensive tackle position is certainly in play since the team needs to fortify it after a below average output in 2019. But I can see general manager Tom Telesco be aggressive in free agency to bring in at least one big-name player, and then look to take advantage of a deep positional group in the draft by snagging a starting caliber player in Round 2.

Jacob F. — Would it be smart to pick up a lineman in the first round or wait til later or free agency?

I laid out how the Chargers should go about addressing the offensive line.

Daniel G. — What’s the possibility of trading down for some early round draft picks? Address offensive line and run defense.

I’ve seen more and more fans wanting to trade down in the first-round to acquire more picks. While it sounds like a reasonable option because who wouldn’t want more ammo to draft players, I believe that Telesco likes where the team is sitting in the top-10. Like I mentioned in my first answer, this is a prime position to draft a quarterback. If anything, there’s more of a possibility that he looks to trade up two or three spots to jump another quarterback-needy team in the Miami Dolphins so that way they can secure their guy.

Brian W. — Do you think the Chargers will pay out for Henry and Bosa?

Re-signing tight end Hunter Henry and extending defensive end Joey Bosa should be at the very top of the Chargers’ to-do list. With Los Angeles having a projected $56.245 million in salary-cap space – the most in Telesco’s tenure with the team, a decent amount of that money needs to be dealt to the two.

With Henry, he has been banged up throughout the career, but he is easily one of the league’s top tight ends when healthy. He is a complete player at the position, showing the ability to be dangerous as a pass-catcher and reliable as a blocker. It’d be a mistake for L.A. to let him walk and look to match that type of talent elsewhere. The Packers’ Jimmy Graham is the highest-paid tight end in football right now at $10 million in average annual value. I expect Henry to top that, likely ending up with a four-year deal for $36 million and $38 million in total value.

Bosa is slated to make $14.36 million on his fifth-year option next season. Based on the impact that he’s made since joining the team, he would be underpaid if he was to play making that much in 2020. That is why Bosa could possibly hold out if he doesn’t receive a hefty contract this offseason. Los Angeles will likely pay him in the ballpark of what Cowboys’ DeMarcus Lawrence got, which is five years, $105 million, with $65 million guaranteed or even Bears’ Khalil Mack’s six-year, $141 million deal with $90 million guaranteed.

@Jtex_33 — Where will Rivers land?

I laid out five potential landing spots for Rivers if the team decides to move on from him. Given the fact that he moved his family from California to Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers or Miami Dolphins could also be in play. But one option that isn’t talked about that much that could still be a possibility is retirement. Rivers did say that he wants to play in 2020, but a week or two prior to saying that, he told the media that he was going to weigh out his options with his family after the season – which is something that I’m sure he has done or is still in the process of doing. Even though he said he felt like he could still play, his mind could change, and the move could factor into his decision.

David M. — How high of a priority is it to pick up a running back to replace Melvin Gordon? Or should we consider signing him at this point?

If the Chargers move on from Gordon this offseason, they should absolutely look to bring in another running back. But it wouldn’t be a glaring need like many people think it is. Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson would sit atop of the depth chart. Telesco has had a knack for finding gems outside of the early rounds of the draft. Ekeler went undrafted and Jackson was drafted in the seventh-round. This year’s class is no different, as late-round gems can be found. The team could also look to re-sign Troymaine Pope to solidify the position.

Chargers’ Tom Telesco discusses evaluation of quarterbacks at Senior Bowl

Los Angeles Chargers Tom Telesco joined Chris Hayre on the Chargers Weekly podcast.

Since general manager Tom Telesco took over in 2013, he’s heard the same question over and over in the offseason. That question being if the Chargers are looking into drafting Philip Rivers’ successor.

For the most part, he’s given the same answer, and that is that they are looking at all possible options. Telesco has yet to draft a quarterback in the first two days of the draft since taking over, but that could very well change this time, given the fact that the Philip Rivers era could be coming to an end.

Like any other year, Telesco is taking a hard look at the quarterback position in free agency and the NFL draft. That evaluation process started this past week at the Reese’s Senior Bowl, which was held in Mobile, AL.

Telesco, who came on Chris Hayre’s Chargers Weekly podcast, talked about the importance of evaluating the quarterbacks at the annual all-star game.

“I mean, it’s always important,” Telesco said of the quarterbacks participating at the Senior Bowl. “I mean, really, it’s more important what they did at their college for three or four years. But yeah, the all-star game is great, and it’s great to see guys want to come and compete and play no matter where you think you may be drafted to come compete.”

This year’s Senior Bowl featured three signal-callers that the Bolts likely have under a microscope: former Oregon’s Justin Herbert, Utah State’s Jordan Love and Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts.

All quarterbacks have their own unique skillsets. But it’s been Herbert and Love who have garnered the majority of the attention because both players are projected to go in the first-round, and they each would bring some enticing traits to Los Angeles.

In his end-of-season press conference, Telesco did say that drafting a quarterback is not off the table even if they re-sign Rivers.

“The quarterback position, we’ve scouted it every year. It’s not like we go into a year and say, ‘You know what? We’re all good at that position. Let’s not even worry about watching practice. We’ll have somebody else worry about that.’ That’s not how that works. But I love seeing players that are ‘projected to go high’ and still want to come play in this game. That’s great to see,” Telesco said.

But with Rivers being a free agent and his age continuing to get up there, it does make the possibility of them selecting one in the early rounds more likely.

Tom Telesco on future of Philip Rivers: ‘A lot of moving parts’ with decision

The decisions over whether to pursue a reunion with quarterback Philip Rivers is a difficult task for Tom Telesco.

There have been a lot of assumptions that the marriage between the Chargers and quarterback Philip Rivers is coming to an end after moving his family out of their home in San Diego.

But the decision on whether or not Rivers is going to return in the blue and gold has yet to be made.

General manager Tom Telesco said in an interview on Sirius XM NFL Radio that he believes that the 38-year old still has some juice to continue to play, but there are some factors into the decision-making, including having some of their own free agents to sign.

Well he’s a free agent so there’s a lot of moving parts that come with that. He among some other free agents that we have. I said after the season that we didn’t have the best year, obviously. We had five wins, so that wasn’t good enough. Didn’t make the playoffs and had a rough year but Philip still has good snaps in him. I think I can see that, I think everybody can see that. He still has some good snaps. He didn’t play his best in every game but guess what, our team didn’t play its best in every game either. We only had five wins. I think he still has plenty of good snaps in him but like I said, he’s a free agent. So there’s a lot of moving parts that go with that.

We have a lot of other guys that are free agents. We have to try to put together the best team we can for next year with a lot of different things. But the good thing is we have some time to get this worked out. After the season ended, we took a step away to kind of gather our thoughts, watch some more tape. We’re going to need some time with this to try to make it right, make sure its the right decision you’re making in the offseason because it’s going to affect you into the regular season.

Rivers is coming off a year where he tossed 20 interceptions and committed 23 turnovers. Even though he was plagued by inconsistency on the offensive line, his arm strength and decision-making was still questionable, which has had many believe that his time with the organization is nearing an end.

Rivers’ decision to move out of Southern California may be an indicator that he already has another path in mind. But we won’t know until it’s actually official. From Telesco end-of-the-season press conference, he would like to have a decision made before free agency begins in the middle of March.

3 biggest offseason storylines for the Chargers

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three of the biggest offseason storylines for the Los Angeles Chargers.

As the final days of the 2019 season wind down, it’s almost time to officially shift the spotlight toward the offseason.

With that, here are the three storylines that will dominate for the Chargers leading up into it:

What’s in store for the quarterback position?

Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Could the 2020 regular season mark the first time that the Chargers have a different starting quarterback since 2006? With Philip Rivers set to be an unrestricted free agent, it’s very possible that Los Angeles could have a new signal-caller.

Rivers has suggested that he still wants to play, but that he was still going to go over his options with his family when the season concluded. The 38-year old is coming off a year where he tossed 20 interceptions.

Though he was plagued by inconsistency on the offensive line, his arm strength and decision-making was still questionable, drawing some questions in regards to whether or not he can still play at a high level next season and beyond.

Should the Bolts decide to move on from Rivers, Tyrod Taylor would likely begin Week 1 as the starting quarterback and the bridge to the rookie – assuming they choose to take one in the early rounds of the 2020 NFL draft, with options at the top like Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert or Jordan Love.

No matter what route they go, the Chargers need to determine what their future is going to look like there at the position.

Ranking Chargers’ top needs entering this offseason

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez ranks the Los Angeles Chargers’ top needs entering this offseason.

The Chargers enter this offseason with the most salary cap space that they’ve had since general manager Tom Telesco took over in 2013. Los Angeles also possesses all seven picks in the 2020 NFL draft.

With that, they must use both outlets accordingly to fulfill the roster needs to ensure that they’re in the most optimal position as they look to bounce back from a 5-11 season.

Here are the five most pressing needs for the Bolts heading into this offseason:

5. Nose tackle

Brandon Mebane was signed to a two-year deal last offseason, but he will be turning 35 years old. Damion Square and Sylvester Williams proved themselves in that role, but both players will be free agents. Even if one of them is re-signed the Chargers could benefit from adding another clog in the middle of the defensive line since the run defense has still yet to be efficient.


4. Wide receiver

Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are both coming off productive seasons, surpassing 1,000 receiving yards. However, there is no one behind the two that can be called upon. Travis Benjamin didn’t do much before getting hurt, Dontrelle Inman was starting to surge before landing on the injured reserve, and the other guys at the position didn’t produce. The Chargers should look to add a fast wideout who can stretch the field.


3. Cornerback

The Chargers have been fortunate to have a player like Casey Hayward, who has shut down the league’s best wideouts. Hayward is signed through the 2021 season But the other options opposite of him are questionable moving forward. Michael Davis was up and down this past season and Brandon Facyson was promising, but he didn’t have that much of a sample size in the starting role.


2. Offensive line

Injuries was the narrative for the offensive line this past season. It all started with Russell Okung, as he missed all of training camp and nearly half the regular season after suffering a pulmonary embolism. When he returned, he dealt with various lower body injuries. Center Mike Pouncey sustained a severe neck injury that ended his season. Guard Forrest Lamp had a season-ending knee injury. Right tackle Sam Tevi was banged up throughout the year. Guard Dan Feeney has been up and down. Michael Schofield is a pending free agent. Trent Scott struggled, and Trey Pipkins showed promise, but there are still plenty of things he needs to work on in order to be relied on as a starter. The Chargers need to make some upgrades to the tackle and guard position to improve the pass protection that was underwhelming this past season.


1. Quarterback

At the moment, no one knows who the starting quarterback is going to be for the Chargers in 2020. Philip Rivers is a pending free agent and if he returns for Year 17 remains to be seen. Even if Rivers does return, the team doesn’t have a succession plan. They have Tyrod Taylor, but he isn’t a long-term option and he only has one more year remaining on his contract. Assuming Rivers is signed to a one-year deal, Los Angeles should look to take a quarterback in the first-round. The rookie would be able to sit and learn from Rivers. But if the team feels like he is no longer in their plans, that would mean that Taylor would serve as the bridge. Nonetheless, it’s been 16 years since the Chargers have taken a quarterback in Round 1, and this would be the perfect year to take one early on no matter who’s going to start.

3 Chargers who could be surprise cuts this offseason

Chargers Wire’s Gavino Borquez lays out three players who could be surprise cuts this offseason.

General manager Tom Telesco and company are gearing up for what will be one of the most polarizing offseasons.

Aside from free agency and the 2020 NFL draft, the Chargers will need to decide what to do with their 15 expiring contracts. Among the group are notables like quarterback Philip Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon and tight end Hunter Henry, along with defensive end Joey Bosa who is due for a big payday.

Los Angeles’ $56.3 million in projected salary cap comes above the league average of $47 million. The front office will have to dish the majority of that available money to household names, but if they feel the need to make some signings in free agency they could elect to move on from some players that are under contract through the 2020 season.

With that, here are three Chargers who could be surprise cuts this offseason:

LB Denzel Perryman

The linebacker position was a focal point for Telesco heading into the 2019 season. One of the moves that he elected to do was bring back Perryman on a two-year deal. The former Miami product stayed relatively healthy and played well enough to remain on the team through next season, but Drue Tranquill’s emergence at the middle linebacker position has given the Chargers reason to believe that they could lean on the fourth-round selection to manage the full load moving forward. Should they move on from Perryman, Los Angeles would save $6.55 million in cap space.


C Mike Pouncey

One of the heart and souls on the offensive line and in the locker room, Pouncey didn’t have the season he was anticipating. In Week 5, Pouncey sustained a major neck injury that required surgery. The injury was so severe that there’s still a possibility that it could be career-ending. Pouncey recently appeared to be optimistic that he would be able to play, but it all depends on if the doctors clear him. If he isn’t cleared, then the Chargers will have to look elsewhere to fill the void at the center position. Scott Quessenberry would likely be the favorite when considering his strong play in the starting role this past season.


DT Brandon Mebane

Even though Mebane is coveted for his veteran and locker room presence, he didn’t flash as much as previous season and the Chargers showed that they could be set at the nose tackle position with two other players — Damion Square and Sylvester Williams, both who proved their worth this past season and could very well be re-signed. If the team elects to move on from the 34-year old, they would save $4.25 million in cap space.

What Chargers’ Tom Telesco said at end-of-season press conference

Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco spoke to the media on Thursday for his annual end-of-season press conference.

Chargers coach Anthony Lynn spoke to the media on Monday. Three days later, general manager Tom Telesco got the spotlight to express how he felt about the 2019 season, as well as what the future may look like.

Telesco said he is upset with how the season turned out and said there are a lot of factors that cause them to only win five games. He said he needs to do a better job, but they aren’t discouraged moving into the new year.

“We’re disappointed. A bit angry, which is normal for this time of year, but we’re not discouraged at all. I like the culture here, I like the foundation we’ve built, and I love our head coach. Those three things are critical,” Telesco said on the 5-11 season.

A lot of the blame throughout the season fell on Lynn’s shoulders, but Telesco feels that he did a fine enough job and believes that he feels as though he is the right guy to lead the team into 2020 and beyond.

“The contract [extension] will work itself out. I know he’s tough, he’s smart, he’s a leader, and he represents this organization on and off the field like no one else. I love working with him. There’s nobody else I would rather go to battle with than him.” Telesco said.

All eyes are on a few household names that are set to become free agents. Telesco didn’t give anything away. Instead, him and the rest of the coaching staff are in the process of evaluating every position to decide the future for some of those players.

Among the group of is quarterback Philip Rivers.

Telesco didn’t want to look ahead and discuss the future of Rivers too much, but he did say that he thinks he can still compete as a top starter. He said that in a perfect world, 17 is your starting quarterback.

“More than likely, yeah. There’s no doubt,” Telesco said when asked if this is this something they want to get sorted out before the new league year (March 18) so he doesn’t become a free agent.

Another notable player whose future is up in the air is running back Melvin Gordon.

Like everyone else, Gordon will be evaluated to determine if he will be brought back. Telesco said it didn’t make him happy that Gordon held out and that it hurt the team, but added “I love the kid.” He said the running back handled it well when he returned to the team.

From Telesco’s past end-of-season press conferences, he is pretty straight forward when it comes to summing up the year. Even though it may seem like hints with the direction they could go in the offseason, he does a fine job of keeping what the plans are secured.