Tag: Will Dissly

Andy Bischoff speaks on the state of the Chargers’ tight end room

Chargers tight ends coach Andy Bischoff had his first media availability on Monday.

Chargers tight ends coach Andy Bischoff had his first media availability on Monday, during which he spoke on the team’s tight ends and their current status.

First, he mentioned the signings of Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.

When you start with [TE] Will [Dissly], you’re talking about one of the three guys in the league that can own the C-gap, period. There’s not many of them. This is a different kind of football league that we live in now. To have a tight end that can own the C-gap is rare. He’s one of those guys. You start with him and his ability to get that done for you and then, let’s not lose sight on what he can provide you in the passing game. This is a guy who catches the ball at a high percentage, in terms of his target-to-catch ratio, a guy that doesn’t drop the football and who protects the football, doesn’t fumble it.

Then, you have a guy in [TE] Hayden [Hurst] — to me, you have six guys in the league who everybody wants. You name the six, you go with [49ers TE George] Kittle, you say [Giants TE Darren] Waller. Name whoever you want. Everybody wants those six guys. There’s no reason that Hayden can’t be that next guy. There’s no reason. He has all the speed, all the hands, all the ability. Hayden just needs to find the right situation. We knew when we had him in 2019 that was the right situation for us. We couldn’t control where it went from there, but we love the guy. We’re nothing but happy to have this guy here. He will provide that athletic element to this offense that gives us an opportunity.

The Chargers made Dissly’s signing a priority on day one when the tampering period opened. Hurst followed very soon after that. Both will be critical blockers in Greg Roman’s scheme and LA expects Hurst to match his receiving output from earlier in his career. On the 2020 Falcons, Hurst had career highs in yards and touchdowns with 571 and six respectively.

Combining Bischoff’s comments with Hurst’s mention of the opportunity last week, it does seem that both sides think this is the right opportunity for a bounce-back season.

Bischoff also mentioned Donald Parham, Stone Smartt, and newly signed Ben Mason competing for spots. He mentioned Parham as still a “developing” player whose size they can use to their advantage. For Mason, it seems they view his usage in a tight end/fullback hybrid-type way adjacent to previous players’ usage in the past.

The way we’ve always done it in this system is that Ben is an ‘F’. In our offense, some will call him a fullback only. We don’t want to limit that. When we started with [Ravens FB Patrick] Pat [Ricard], he was an ‘F’. He turned into what he turned into. He actually started as a d-lineman and he turned into what he turned into. I was also fortunate enough to coach [49ers FB] Kyle Juszczyk, and he turned into what he turned into. You have this balance of guys. We’ll bring out the greatest strengths that Ben has to offer. We’ll also give other guys in the room the ability to compete for those spots. Not just limit to this is a fullback. They’re an ‘F’ in our room. They’ll function in every way they can to help us.

Jersey numbers for Chargers’ free agent signings

Here’s a look at the numbers new players will wear in 2024.

The Chargers signed a few free agents over the course of the past few weeks, and now we know what numbers they will wear.

Here’s a look at the numbers new players will wear in 2024 and number changes for players on the roster.

Gus Edwards: 4

TE Will Dissly: 81

TE Hayden Hurst: 88

LB Troy Dye: 43

C Bradley Bozeman: 75

DL CJ Okoye: 69 (Number change)

NFL Power Rankings: Where do the Chargers land after free agency?

With free agency in the rearview, here’s a look at where the Chargers stand in the power rankings after free agency.

NFL free agency has begun to slow down. After the frenzy, Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers are in decent shape, even after moving away from Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. They retained Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack and have made a slew of acquisitions, especially to bolster the running game.

Here is what the national media thinks of Los Angeles after free agency and ahead of the draft.

NFL.com: 16

“This is where I’m bracing for impact. No, you haven’t read this placement wrong — and I’m prepared for the worst. When I last ranked the Chargers, the hiring of Jim Harbaugh was still relatively fresh, and their slot at that time (No. 25) was more about 2023 than the future. The more I think about it, the clearer it is to me that the most difference-making move of any team so far this offseason was Harbaugh joining the Bolts. The guy wins. I don’t know how he’ll do that exactly, but he’ll definitely make this team more mentally tough and disciplined in Year 1. Everywhere he’s been, he’s done that. So prepare yourselves for some narrative-breaking. The Chargers have weathered a tough salary-trimming period, but they came out of it in decent enough shape. And very quietly, they’ve added some Harbaugh-ish signings (Gus Edwards, Will Dissly, Hayden Hurst) to beef up his run game and versatility. Sleep on them at your own peril.”

Sporting News: 16

“The Chargers’ offensive transition to be run-heavy and more efficient with Justin Herbert is in full swing under Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman. They wisely chose to preserve defense (Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa) over offense (Keenan Allen, Mike Williams).”

Pro Football Network: 17

“What a weird offseason for the Chargers. Still riding high from the hiring of Jim Harbaugh, Chargers fans got a reality check when the franchise released Mike Williams and traded Keenan Allen in a pair of cost-cutting moves.”

For The Win: 27

“2024 is a gap year while Jim Harbaugh and general manager Joe Hortiz untangle the mess left behind by the previous regime. An untenable cap situation meant Los Angeles not only had to mostly sit out the start of free agency but also had to say goodbye to Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Oh well. Biting the financial bullet now should ensure a more fruitful future for Justin Herbert.”

The Athletic: 26

“Jim Harbaugh’s first offseason with the Chargers involved cutting a lot of salary, which is why Allen and Williams are gone and Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack restructured their contracts. Edwards is an interesting addition and plays the power back role Harbaugh prefers better than Ekeler, but the exits outweigh the entrances on the roster so far, and Harbaugh’s first year might not be stellar.”

Twitter reacts to Chargers’ expected signing of TE Will Dissly

Here’s how social media reacted to the Chargers’ newest addition, Will Dissly.

The Chargers agreed to terms with tight end Will Dissly, the former Seahawk, on Monday.

Here’s how social media reacted to the newest addition:

Seahawks re-signing tight end Noah Fant to 2-year deal

Fant is the first free agent who’s been re-signed by Seattle in this cycle.

The Seahawks are re-signing tight end Noah Fant to a two-year deal worth a total of $21 million, according to a report by Jordan Schultz at Bleacher Report.

Fant (26) is the first free agent who’s been re-signed by Seattle in this cycle. It’s no surprise that it’s a tight end, a position where the market has moved incredibly quick over the last few days. Just observe the contracts that Fant’s teammates have gotten today. Both Will Dissly (Chargers) and Colby Parkinson (Rams) signed eight-figure, three-year deals with other teams.

Retaining Fant at this price point is a win for the Seahawks, especially considering what other tight ends are getting. Fant may have been underused by former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron the last two seasons, only earning 106 total targets. Fant is still a very athletic receiver with the ability to stretch the field and tack on YAC. It doesn’t take much imagination to see him producting a lot in Ryan Grubb’s offense.

Looking ahead, Fant will be at the top of the depth chart for Seattle’s tight end room. Who will be in there with him remains to be seen. For now, practice squad member Tyler Mabry is the only other tight end on the roster.

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Instant analysis of Chargers’ expected signing of TE Will Dissly

What the signing of Will Dissly means for the Chargers.

After adding former Ravens running back Gus Edwards on Monday, the Chargers struck a second time, adding former Seahawks tight end Will Dissly.

According to reports, Los Angeles signed Dissly to a three-year, $14 million contract. $10 million of that money is guaranteed in the first two seasons of the deal.

The 27-year-old Dissly was released by Seattle last week as the Seahawks prepared their cap sheet for free agency, which means that his signing with the Chargers does not affect the compensatory pick formula. That’s an important tidbit given how much of an emphasis new general manager Joe Hortiz has placed on gathering compensatory picks, a hallmark of his time in Baltimore.

Widely regarded as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league, Dissly was ranked as the third-best run blocker from the tight end spot in 2023. He trailed only George Kittle and Charlie Woerner, both of the 49ers. Woerner signed a 3-year, $12 million contract with the Falcons earlier on Monday.

It’s a welcome change for the Chargers, who endured the 54th, 71st, and 80th run-blocking grades of 81 qualified tight ends a season ago. Gerald Everett (54th) is a free agent, although Los Angeles could elect to bring him back in more of a receiving role if the money is right. Donald Parham (71st) and Stone Smartt (80th) are due to return in 2024 but could end up being the receiving options if Los Angeles does not return Everett.

It also likely takes LA out of the running for Georgia’s Brock Bowers, a popular, if waning, mock draft selection for the Chargers. The allocation of a tight end with $10 million guaranteed and a top-flight draft pick, with the other holes on the roster, feels like an unwise investment. Los Angeles will likely target a tight end further down the draft board, like Penn State’s Theo Johnson or Colorado State’s Dallin Holker, to pair with Dissly.

Originally a fourth-round selection out of Washington, Dissly proves that tight ends who can block can carve out lengthy careers in the NFL. For the Chargers to secure him for mid-market money without losing a potential compensatory pick is a win for Los Angeles, which needs moves around the margins like this to pan out if they’re going to be competitive in the short term. Dissly, as long as he stays healthy, should get them closer.

Chargers agree to terms with TE Will Dissly

The Chargers add a premier run blocker.

The Chargers have made their second signing of free agency, agreeing to terms with former Seahawks tight end Will Dissly, according to multiple reports.

In an effort to boost the running game, Los Angeles needs blocking tight ends, which Dissly was during his six-year tenure with Seattle.

He consistently ranked among Pro Football Focus’ highest-graded run-blocking tight ends, most recently finishing as the third-best behind George Kittle and Charlie Woerner this past season.

Dissly, a 2018 fourth-round pick out of Washington, dealt with injuries in his first couple of seasons before becoming a key piece in Seattle’s offense. He started 55 of 62 games from 2020 to 2023.

Throughout his time with the Seahawks, Dissly amassed 127 catches for 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Dissly joins a Chargers tight end room that includes Donald Parham and Stone Smartt.

Former Seahawks TE Will Dissly plans to sign with Chargers on 3-year deal

Happy National Pay Tight Ends Day!

Happy National Pay Tight Ends Day!

The latest member to join the club is former Seahawks and Huskies tight end Will Dissly, who was released last week for $7 million in cap savings. It didn’t take Dissly long to find a new home in the NFL. According to Jordan Schultz at Bleacher Report, Dissly is signing a three-year, $14 million deal with the Chargers. $10 million of it is fully guaranteed.

Dissly had appeared in 72 games with Seattle over the last six seasons. All together, he’s totaled 127 catches, 1,421 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Dissly is the second Seahawks tight end to get a new deal today. Colby Parkinson is also on his way to LA, having agreed to terms of a slightly larger three-year deal with the Rams.

Tyler Mabry and Noah Fant are now the only tight ends on the roster, and Fant will become a free agent in two days. Based on the kinds of deals that have been going around, keeping Fant around is not going to be cheap.

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Seahawks have ‘not shut the door’ on any players they have cut

John Schneider won’t rule out re-signing Seahawks players who have been cut

The Seahawks are about to join the free agency frenzy, as the league’s legal tampering period is set to begin in a couple of hours. So far, there hasn’t been much news regarding this team and their efforts in free agency. We only have word of one outside free agent visit – that being former Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins. We also have heard that middle linebacker Bobby Wagner will hit the open market and is unlikely to return to Seattle.

While Wagner’s second exit from the Seahawks is another bummer, fans don’t necessarily have to think every player who’s been cut over the last week or so may not ever come back. In fact, general manager John Schneider said last week on  ESPN’s Dave Wyman and Bob Stelton show that they haven’t shut the door on bringing back anybody, H/T Seahawks.com.

“To be able to have (the coaching staff’s) opinions on players obviously is very important, we haven’t shut the door on any of them to come back, but when you do these contracts and try to create cap room, there’s ramifications.”

We can probably safely assume that strong safety Jamal Adams does not count in the group of players who might be returning. However, if they’re willing to come back on a smaller contract, Will Dissly, Bryan Mone and especially Quandre Diggs are all worth considering.

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15 free agents the Ravens can sign that don’t count against compensatory picks

We’re looking at 15 free agents the Baltimore Ravens can sign that don’t count against compensatory picks for 2025

The NFL’s new league is less than a week away. With the legal tampering period scheduled to start on Monday, Baltimore will look to retool on defense while making cost-effective decisions.

All-Pro pass defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is the biggest concern this offseason after getting the franchise tag, but the Ravens must also navigate 26 looming free agents.

GM Eric DeCosta has clarified that he’s prepared to lose several key starters and retool via the draft with a handful of 2025 compensatory picks.

The formula is simple.

If you lose more unrestricted free agents than you sign, you are eligible for that many compensatory selections. What round they come is determined by how big their contract is.

DeCosta and other general managers can take advantage of the rule by signing players released before their contract expires. Those players don’t count toward the formula.

According to Over The Cap, plenty of players who can help the team and not detract from the formula will be available.

Here are 15 players Baltimore could sign that wouldn’t count against 2025 compensatory picks.