The Los Angeles Chargers enter free agency with the third-most cap space in football, which is great news for a team that made the playoffs last year. While the roster is far from perfect, it’s clear they have the foundational pieces needed to compete and, in theory, could use their remaining money to spend big, cover up weaknesses, and build a true contender. However, that may not be the plan. While this team could (and likely will) improve in the coming months, said improvement will probably come without a massive spending spree.
This is based on comments from Los Angeles Chargers General Manager Joe Hortiz himself. During a recent media appearance, the leader of the show spoke about how he feels being too aggressive in free agency can be a mistake.
“I don’t want to spend recklessly, Hortiz said, via ESPN’s Kris Rhim. “If you chase perceived needs in free agency, in the draft, and more often than not overpaying or making a mistake. So, we do have to be calculated. We have to be smarter.”
Joe Hortiz: Chargers Won’t Spend Big In Free Agency
Reading between the lines, it sounds like the Chargers are planning on using a good chunk of their money to keep their current players from reaching free agency. The team’s two top pass rushers, Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack, are both unrestricted free agents and will likely draw high annual salaries on the open market. Oweh, in particular, is a must-sign, as the former first-round pick played remarkably well during his truncated stint with the Chargers.
With all this being said, the Chargers will likely add at least one or two bodies to the interior offensive line during free agency. While Hortiz’s quote suggests they won’t break the bank for someone like center Tyler Linderbaum, they should pursue cheaper options like David Edwards or Joel Bitonio. Los Angeles had the worst offensive line in football last year, and franchise quarterback Justin Herbert cannot survive another season behind such atrocious blocking.
Main Photo: Kirby Lee – Imagn Images
