Tag: Chargers

Why Chargers make sense for WR Cooper Kupp

Add Cooper Kupp to the list of possible wideout targets for the Chargers this offseason, as the Rams are set to trade the 2021 Pro Bowler.

There has been some big trade news out of the NFL this week. First, it was Myles Garrett who requested a trade.

Next, Cooper Kupp made a social media post about how the Rams will be trading him this offseason. Surprisingly, the veteran has only made one Pro Bowl in his eight-year career, which was in 2021, when he went off for an incredible 1,947 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.

He’s eclipsed 1,000 yards just twice in his injury-plagued career. Kupp will be 32 years old by the time the 2025 season kicks off, so his best days seem to be behind him.

We identified why Garrett could be a fit in Los Angeles, so can the same thing be said for Kupp? Well, let’s identify some reasons why it could work out.

Chargers need a wide receiver badly

It’s the most significant offseason need for the Chargers, evident throughout the 2024 season. Time and time again, Ladd McConkey was the only guy who could get open for Justin Herbert.

Kupp is among the best in the NFL in finding the soft spot in his opponents’ coverage. Health is a concern, as he’s played in 33 games over the last three years. That said, when he’s on the field, Kupp is a massive upgrade over anything the Chargers have right now other than McConkey.

Kupp won’t cost much in terms of assets

As aforementioned, Kupp is set to turn 32 years old, and he isn’t the 2021 version of himself. With cap hits of $27+ million each of the next two years, it’s hard to imagine that the Rams will get anything significant in return.

This gives the Chargers a potential low-risk, high-reward trade. With just two years left on his contract, they have little downside to acquiring Kupp. The Chargers can afford him, too, as they have the sixth-most cap space entering this offseason.

Locker room presence

On top of the on-field play, Kupp brings veteran leadership to the locker room. The Chargers have a solid locker room with Jim Harbaugh leading the squad, but you can never have too many veteran leaders.

Kupp has won a Super Bowl, so he knows what it takes to get the job done. He would be a perfect mentor for McConkey, who is set to enter his second NFL season in 2025.

It would be interesting to see how Kupp and McConkey fit together in the same offense. Both of them spend the majority of their snaps in the slot, so one of them would have to revert to the outside.

According to DraftKings, the Chargers are tied for third (+600) in terms of odds for Kupp’s next landing spot. This is a move that the Bolts should at least have discussions on this offseason.

Why the Chargers would be a good landing spot for Myles Garrett

Browns star Myles Garrett requested a trade on Monday, and the Chargers make a ton of sense as possible suitors in a trade.

There is just one game remaining in the NFL season, so the offseason rumor mill has already fired up. On Monday morning, Browns defensive end Myles Garrett requested a trade after eight incredible seasons in Cleveland.

Every fan’s initial reaction is how their team can try and trade for the six-time Pro Bowler and future Hall of Famer. There are only a select few teams in the league that are realistic, legitimate suitors for Garrett though.

The verdict is still out on just who those teams could be. A trade for Garrett would likely require a first-round pick and more, something that any team should be willing to fork over for a player of his caliber.

This is all if he does get truly traded, although the Browns have minimal leverage at this point. The Chargers could be a potential landing spot for Garrett though, and the fit makes sense for a few different reasons:

Money

Garrett signed a five-year, $125 million extension back in 2020, which is considered to be a steal of a contract for him nowadays. The veteran star has two years left on his contract, and not every team can afford his $20 million cap hit each of the next two seasons. The Chargers are one of the teams that could afford him, as they enter this offseason with over $63 million in cap space, the fifth-most in the NFL.

Positional need

The Chargers had one of the best pass rushes in the league in 2024 as their 46 sacks finished tied-for-sixth. Things may look a bit different in 2025 though. Khalil Mack had a phenomenal year but he is set to become a free agent and his future in Los Angeles is up in the air.

The same can be said for Joey Bosa, who is due for a cap hit of $36+ million in 2025. He becomes an obvious cap casualty, and that would logically have to take place in order for the Chargers to take on Garrett’s contract. There’s no doubt that the Chargers would be in need of a pass rusher and who better to go after than the 2023 AP Defensive Player of the Year.

Trajectory of franchise

Per his social media post(s), Garrett’s primary reason for the trade request was the desire to win a Super Bowl. The Browns won just one playoff game in his tenure, and things aren’t getting any better over there after a 3-14 season.

The Chargers went an impressive 11-6 this season and are a team that is trending upwards. Jim Harbaugh seems to be a coach that a lot of players would want to play for. Furthermore, this was the No. 1 defense in 2024 in its first season under coordinator Jesse Minter. Garrett would only elevate the defense even more and could turn this team into legitimate contenders.

Chargers boost backfield, get play-making tight end in ESPN’s latest mock draft

The Chargers build around Justin Herbert in ESPN’s latest projections.

Building around Justin Herbert is imperative for the Chargers to return to the playoffs and make a deeper run next season.

In ESPN’s Matt Miller’s latest two-round mock draft, that’s what he envisions Los Angeles doing.

With their first-round pick, L.A. selects Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

Chargers fans should rejoice if Jeanty — who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior — is the pick, though. He is the ideal replacement for free agent J.K. Dobbins with his power, contact balance and ability to run away from defenses. Jeanty didn’t add a ton in the passing game in 2024 (23 catches), but he is tailor-made for Jim Harbaugh’s downhill power scheme.

Jeanty falling to No. 22 overall would be a dream scenario for the Chargers, as he’s been commonly projected to go in the top 20. Should he be available, it would be a no-brainer for Los Angeles. Jeanty is an elite back that could be a game-changer from Day 1.

Jeanty was a Heisman finalist this year after his record-breaking season for the Broncos. He finished with 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, with an average of seven yards per carry.

After bolstering the backfield in Round 1, the Bolts get Herbert a weapon in the passing game with LSU tight end Mason Taylor.

The Chargers should go heavy on offense to give quarterback Justin Herbert a better supporting cast. The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason Taylor had only six collegiate touchdowns but has the potential to be a major player in the red zone. He impressed at the Senior Bowl and can consistently win on option routes or post-up safeties with his 6-foot-5, 250-pound frame.

Taylor is an athletic tight end at 6-foot-5 and 255 pounds who can run a full route tree, is capable of running past linebackers, and is physical at the catch point as a receiver with strong hands. His blocking needs work, but he could play on passing downs early in his pro career.

Taylor finished as LSU’s career leader at tight end in receptions (129) and receiving yards (1,308).

6 potential Chargers targets that stood out at Senior Bowl

The Chargers selected five Senior Bowl participants in last year’s draft. Here’s a look at who could be next in line to be taken by Los Angeles.

Now that the 2025 Senior Bowl, the premier all-star game for NFL draft prospects, is over, it is time to reflect on the meaning of the week.

Which players helped themselves the most throughout their time in Mobile, AL, and likely garnered the attention of the Chargers?

Here are six prospects on both sides of the ball.

EDGE Mike Green, Marshall

The Chargers could address the edge defender position in the first round, depending on what happens with Khalil Mack, who is set to be a free agent. If they were to go that route, Green could be an option to draft and contribute as a pass rusher from the get-go. The nation’s leader in sacks, Green has a knack for winning with speed off the edge, bend, and various counters. But he raised eyebrows with his power profile on a rep where he put Oregon’s Josh Conerly (another potential top-30 selection) on the ground with a bull rush.

RB Damien Martinez, Miami

The Chargers should prioritize re-signing J.K. Dobbins, but Gus Edwards could be a potential cut candidate as he struggled to stay healthy in 2024. Should they go that route, Martinez is a great option to fill that void. He is a big, physical running back with good lateral agility and vision that gets downhill quickly and can wear defenses down. Martinez caught the ball well and was arguably the best back in pass-protection drills.

TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami

The Chargers need to add a tight end with pass-catching chops, and luckily for them, this class offers a multitude of them, including Arroyo. Arroyo flashed his route running agility, the ability to run past defensive backs and sticky hands to haul in passes. He blocked well, too.

DT Darius Alexander, Toledo

The Chargers should try to bring back Poona Ford and Teair Tartt. But this positional room still needs pass-rush juice. The 6-foot-4 and 304-pounder was unblockable in one-on-ones in team drills, making life difficult for blockers with a combination of upper body power, length (34-inch arms) and quickness. Alexander showed versatility in lining up all along the defensive line, as well.

WR Jack Bech, TCU

The Chargers must revamp the receiver room and give Justin Herbert more reliable targets. Bech played tight end at LSU before transferring to TCU. He might not be the fastest guy, but he showed the physicality and good routes to make himself open, and he flashed his great hands. He’s not Puka Nacua, but Bech plays a lot like Puka Nacua.

OL Grey Zabel, North Dakota State

The interior of the offensive line is a question mark for the Chargers. Center Bradley Bozeman is a free agent. Right guard Trey Pipkins did not show enough promise to be guaranteed a starting job next season. Zabel lined up at both guard and center, where he showed the play strength, hand placement and lower half mobility to stand up against Power 4 defensive linemen.

What does Chargers DL Poona Ford’s projected free agent contract look like?

Poona Ford was a beast up front, and he should be one of the Chargers’ priorities to bring back.

With Chargers defensive tackle Poona Ford set to become a free agent this offseason, what could his next contract be?

Pro Football Focus recently made a projection for Ford and the other top 100 free agents this offseason.

According to PFF, they are projecting that Ford will land a one-year deal with $3.5 million. This includes $1.5 million guaranteed.

Signed last offseason, Ford had a resurgent season under defensive coordinator Jesse Minter.

Ford, the man in the middle of the defensive line, was integral in stopping the run. His 80.3 PFF run-defense grade ranked third among interior defenders. He also had 25 quarterback pressures.

PFF’s projection for Ford seems a little low, considering how great he played in 2024. Instead, he might garner a contract worth $14 million-$16 million per year, as he should be one of the top defensive tackles on the market.

While the price might be a bit high for some, Ford should be a top priority for the Chargers. The team is well-stocked in salary cap space, so they should be able to afford him.

What went right and what went wrong for the 2024 Chargers

After finishing the regular season on a three-game winning streak, LA’s season ended in disappointing fashion in the Wild Card round.

The Chargers’ 2024 season came to a disappointing end after a one-and-done trip to the postseason. Still, the season gave a glimmer of hope for the future of the franchise.

Below, we will tackle just went right as well as what went wrong with this year’s squad.

Right: New coaching staff

Jim Harbaugh was able to implement his style of football into this team immediately. That was evident before the season even began when the team beefed up in the trenches. The squad was able to win some closer games and actually exceed expectations, something that isn’t often said about Chargers teams. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter was an exceptional hire as well, as the defense was No. 1 in the NFL in scoring.

Wrong: Playmakers for Justin Herbert

There were heavy criticisms last offseason after the Chargers seemingly didn’t address the wide receiver and tight end positions enough. Most of the low-risk signings ended up being complete busts at the two positions, which included Will Dissly, DJ Chark, and Hayden Hurst. Too often, Justin Herbert had to rely on his stud rookie Ladd McConkey, and had essentially no one else to go to. The front office should learn from their mistakes and target these two positions heavily this offseason.

Right: Rookie class

Enough can’t be said about Joe Alt and McConkey, who obviously head this class. That’s not all though, as the team’s two rookie corners, Tarheeb Still and Cam Hart, were big-time contributors in 2024. Without this rookie class, this team would not have made the postseason this year. It looks to be one of the best draft classes in Chargers history, and we’re already one year in. They were a big reason for this year’s success, and the same should be said for the future.

Wrong: Consistency

It was an up-and-down year for the Chargers, namely when it came to them playing better competition. They finished with a 2-6 record against playoff teams this year, both wins coming against the Broncos. That’s right, with the exception of Denver, the Chargers were winless against playoff teams this year. There’s no doubt that this team still has some flaws, and that will be addressed by the front office this offseason. One would hope this team can be a bit more consistent in 2025 with hopefully a few more offensive weapons to give them a more balanced unit.

Right: Special teams

This aspect of NFL teams often goes unlooked, but the Chargers’ special teams unit was quite solid in 2024. Cameron Dicker continues to be one of the best, most consistent kickers in the league. In his third NFL season, he went 41-for-44 on field goal attempts, which included several clutch, timely ones. Derius Davis was quite solid in the return game and gave the team positive field position on several occasions. This unit did more good for the team than bad, and that should continue as long as Dicker sticks around in Los Angeles.

Chargers’ studs and duds from the 2024 season

The Chargers made the playoffs in the first season under Jim Harbaugh, which should set the stage for bigger expectations moving forward.

All things considered, it was a successful 2024 season for the Chargers. Jim Harbaugh’s first year with the squad went even better than expected, and the future is bright with this squad.

This team could be a few moves away from being legitimate contenders in 2025. Before we look ahead to the offseason more though, it’s time to look back at the studs and duds from this season.

Stud: DT Poona Ford

What a breakout season for the 29-year-old. The defense took a big step forward in 2024, and Ford’s addition was instrumental. In the regular season, the veteran racked up three sacks, eight tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, his first career interception, and five pass deflections. Entering this season, he had four career pass deflections in six NFL seasons and he surpassed that number in 2024 alone. Ford was dominant in stopping the run and he’s a guy that the Chargers must re-sign this offseason.

Dud: Joey Bosa

Simply put, it was a disappointing season for the four-time Pro Bowler. Bosa recorded just 5.5 sacks in 14 games, the worst number in a season in which he’s played at least six games. He missed just three games this year, but it was clear that he wasn’t the same throughout the season. As a result, Bosa is a legitimate cap casualty candidate this offseason as the Chargers can save a lot of money by moving on from him.

Stud: WR Ladd McConkey

What a rookie season for the Georgia product. McConkey was even better than advertised and was able to eclipse the 100-yard mark an impressive four times. The playmaker finished with 82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns on the year. McConkey established himself as the team’s best wideout and should have a bright future in Los Angeles

Dud: Asante Samuel Jr.

Injuries got the best of Samuel in 2024, which limited him to just four games. He was quite durable in his first three NFL seasons in which he played in 47 games. Even when he was healthy, Samuel wasn’t the same playmaker that we have become accustomed to. Now, his future in Los Angeles is up in the air as he’s scheduled to hit free agency. Not only may Samuel be a bit too pricey, but the Chargers have a few young corners that stepped up and played well this season.

Stud: OT Joe Alt

Why not highlight another rookie? The class looks to be a stellar one after one season, and these two have a lot to do with that. Alt was superb in his first NFL season, which helped the Chargers form one of the best offensive tackle duos in football. For all of the criticism on the team not taking a wideout with the fifth overall pick, Alt proved to be well worth it. Along with Rashawn Slater, this team is built to protect quarterback Justin Herbert for a long time and Alt is a big reason for that. The Notre Dame product was particularly exceptional in pass protection, which will be crucial to keeping Herbert healthy in the future.

2 playoff teams stand out as ‘natural fits’ for Jevon Holland, per PFF

PFF thinks a pair of playoff contenders will be in the market for Jevon Holland if he reaches free agency in March.

Jevón Holland is expected to be one of the top player on the market if the Miami Dolphins don’t re-sign the safety before free agency begins in March. According to Pro Football Focus, there are a couple of playoff contenders that make sense as potential landing spots for Holland.

“Holland is a natural fit for both the Vikings and Chargers, two defenses that finished 2024 ranked in the top three in their rate of using two-high safety coverage looks,” PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote this week. “The almost 25-year-old safety runs those coverages at a high rate, and although he struggled this past season, he clocked a 73.0-plus PFF coverage grade in open coverages in 2022 and 2023.”

The Dolphins drafted Holland in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft and he’s emerged as a leader in the team’s secondary. But Miami’s current salary cap crunch will make it difficult to retain the safety.

Both the Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers, a pair of teams that reached the playoffs in 2024, are top 10 in the NFL in cap space.

In Minnesota, Holland would reunite with former Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, who now serves as the Vikings defensive coordinator.

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5 players the Chargers should not re-sign

The Chargers have some big decisions to make with some of their own free agents, including defenders Asante Samuel Jr. and Denzel Perryman.

It’s that time of the year where we began to evaluate the Chargers’ internal free agents. The front office has several decisions to make this offseason, and it begins with who to retain amongst its own.

Below are five players that Los Angeles should end up letting walk this offseason:

WE Joshua Palmer

It was a disappointing 2024 campaign for the Tennessee product. In a year in which Los Angeles needed him to take a step forward, he simply failed to do so. In 15 games, he registered 39 catches and 584 receiving yards, good for 15.0 yards per reception. Palmer’s 60.0% catch rate and one touchdown were both career worsts, while his measly 38.9 yards per contest was his lowest number since his 2021 rookie campaign. While wideout remains a need for this team, the front office will be better suited going after a wideout in both the draft and free agency.

C Bradley Bozeman

With all due respect, Bozeman should be the most obvious decision amongst this group. Joe Hortiz recently stated that the team has had discussions about bringing him back already, and the veteran doesn’t seem opposed to it either. Unless if it’s for a role as a backup, re-signing Bozeman would be a mistake. He was consistently the biggest weakness along the offensive line in 2024, and it’s time to find a younger, longer-term option at center.

TE Hayden Hurst

Hurst signed a one-year deal with the Chargers last offseason, and that should end up being the duration of his time in Los Angeles. The 31-year-old is a shell of his younger self and the numbers reflect such. Hurst had a career lows in catches (8), yards (73), while also failing to reach the endzone for the first time in his career. Tight end is a major need for this team, and Hurst is not apart of the short or long-term plans whatsoever.

CB Asante Samuel Jr. 

A year ago, moving on from him would seem like a questionable decision. The 2021 second-rounder started 43 games in his first three seasons with the team and became the team’s most reliable cornerback throughout. Unfortunately, injuries got the best of him in 2024, and he played in just four games. Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still came on as rookies and figure to be a huge part of this team’s secondary in the future.

Pro Football Focus projects a three-year, $43.5 million deal for Samuel with $26.5 million guaranteed. This team simply has bigger needs at this point, and he’s not worth that kind of money, especially with the growth of Hart and Still. Bringing back someone like Kristian Fulton for cheaper seems like a better business move.

LB Denzel Perryman

Perryman returned to Los Angeles in 2024 on a one-year deal to start 11 games and put up 55 total tackles. Unfortunately, he’s missed a double-digit number of games over the last two years and can’t seem to stay healthy. Age isn’t on his side either, as he recently turned 32 years old. With Daiyan Henley already locked in as one of the starters in the middle, the Chargers can find someone younger and more reliable than Perryman in free agency.

What does Chargers RB J.K. Dobbins’ projected free agent contract look like?

J.K. Dobbins returned to form this season, proving that he should be re-signed by the Chargers.

With Chargers running back J.K. Dobbins set to become a free agent this offseason, what could his next contract be?

Pro Football Focus recently made a projection for Dobbins and the other top 100 free agents this offseason.

According to PFF, they are projecting that Dobbins will land a two-year deal with $7 million. This includes $4 million guaranteed.

Signed last offseason, Dobbins’ play exceeded his $1.6 million prove-it deal. He set a career-high in rushing yards (905) and tied his personal best in rushing touchdowns (9).

After spending most of his time with the Ravens on the sidelines due to multiple lower-body injuries, Dobbins managed to stay healthy for most of the season, appearing in 13 games in 2024.

As a result of his bounce-back campaign, Dobbins is a finalist for the Associated Press’ Comeback Player of the Year Award.

It’s clear that Dobbins boosts the running game when he is on the field. However, the consistency of his health remains a question mark.

Nonetheless, the Chargers would be wise to bring him back, especially considering how cheap he should be.