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Los Angeles Chargers News & Rumors

Chargers Willing To Trade No. 5 Pick

March 22nd, 2024 at 9:30pm CST by Adam La Rose

The top three selections in next month’s draft are likely to remain in place (Bears, Commanders, Patriots). Significant movement after that could occur, though.

Shortly after Cardinals general manager Monti Ossenfort confirmed he is prepared to trade out of the No. 4 slot, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz made similar remarks. The latter currently owns the fifth overall pick in his first offseason at the helm of the franchise, one which could go a long way in rebuilding the team’s receiver room. However, Hortiz is open to a move down the board.

“We’ll see how it goes. It’s still early and the phone is not ringing yet because we’re still a month or so out,” Hortiz said during a Thursday media availability (via the team’s website). “But I’ve had teams ask me and are gauging my interest. Certainly, as I said before, I’m open to all options when it comes to the draft. I’m not locked into any one spot — forwards, backwards, staying right there.”

The Bolts currently own nine selections in the draft, including four of the first 105 picks. With Hortiz overseeing a new front office and a revamped coaching staff led by Jim Harbaugh, though, this offseason has taken on the form of a major re-tooling endeavor. Acquiring extra picks would further that effort, and a small move down the order would likely still allow Los Angeles to select one of the top receiver or offensive tackle prospects in the 2024 class.

The top three quarterbacks available are expected to be taken before the Cardinals are on the clock; they, like the Chargers, could certainly stand to add to their pass-catching corps. Other teams could be motivated to secure the next-best signal-caller, however, which means those such as the Giants, Vikings and Broncos represent potential suitors for the fourth and fifth picks. The price Ossenfort sets for No. 4 will of course be a major factor in determining the market for that selection and the one Hortiz is in control of.

The Chargers released Mike Williams and traded away Keenan Allen (despite efforts made to retain the latter), leaving the team with two glaring roster holes at the WR position. Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze figure to hear their names called in the top 10, and staying put would likely ensure the Bolts could select from at least two members of that trio. If the opportunity presents itself to trade down, however, Hortiz could become a figure to watch closely in the lead-in to the draft.

Chargers, CB Kristian Fulton Agree To Deal

March 22nd, 2024 at 9:05am CST by Adam La Rose

The Chargers hosted Kristian Fulton on a free agent visit earlier this week, and that meeting has produced an agreement. The former Titans cornerback is headed to Los Angeles on a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Fulton played out his four-year rookie contract with Tennessee, but 2023 did no go according to plan. The former second-rounder missed time due to a benching as well as a stint on injured reserve, limiting him to 12 contests. He started 11 of those, however, reprising the first-team role he held for much of his time in Nashville. Fulton could provide the Chargers with a low-cost starter in the secondary as a result of this deal.

ESPN’s Turron Davenport reports Fulton declined offers from the Bengals, Broncos and Cardinals before agreeing to this one-year Chargers pact. That could point to a notable financial component of the deal, but in any case it demonstrates the market he commanded despite an up-and-down tenure in Tennessee. The 25-year-old posted four interceptions and 25 pass breakups in 42 Titans games, but he struggled in coverage (114.1 passer rating allowed) last season in particular.

The Chargers moved on from J.C. Jackson midway through the 2023 campaign, while veteran Michael Davis signed with the Commanders in free agency. Those departures left Los Angeles in need of a new first-team option to work alongside Asante Samuel Jr. and Ja’Sir Taylor. Fulton – who saw notable time in the slot as a rookie but has primarily been used on the perimeter since then – will look to lock down a starting spot this offseason.

The LSU alum could help his market value considerably with a healthy and productive stint in Los Angeles. Given his age, a multi-year pact could come his way if 2024 were to include an end to the injury issues which have marred his career so far (Fulton has yet to play more than 13 contests in a campaign). As the Chargers continue to re-tool on both sides of the ball with a new coaching staff and front office in place, the team has taken a flier on an upside addition during the second wave of free agency.

Joe Hortiz: Chargers Offered Extension To WR Keenan Allen

March 21st, 2024 at 8:34pm CST by Adam La Rose

8:34pm: Adding some information on the Bolts’ talks with the 11-year veteran, Allen’s agent said (via X) the team only offered his client a pay cut for 2024 and indicated only one proposal came their way. The Chargers’ offer included larger pay cuts for 2025 and ’26, according to his agent, who indicated the team rejected a counteroffer. Allen had signed a four-year, $80.1MM extension in September 2020; that contract is now on the Bears’ payroll.

3:54pm: In addition to releasing Mike Williams, the Chargers helped put an end to their cap crunch by trading fellow wideout Keenan Allen to the Bears. That move came after multiple attempts on the part of Los Angeles’ new front office to work out a new deal.

General manager Joe Hortiz said on Thursday the Bolts presented Allen with “multiple contract options,” as noted by The Athletic’s Daniel Popper. That included an extension offer, one of the ways Allen’s cumbersome cap figure could have been reduced. It was reported in the wake of the deal the six-time Pro Bowler turned down a pay cut request, something Allen himself later confirmed.

An extension would have allowed Los Angeles to retain the 31-year-old for years to come while dropping his 2024 cap charge (one of four which was over $34MM) in the process. A multi-year agreement – adding onto the one season remaining on Allen’s current pact – also likely would have ensured he remained with the Chargers for the remainder of his decorated career. Prior to free agency, the Cal product expressed confidence he would stay with the only team he has played for, but that did not turn out to be the case.

Hortiz took on the Chargers’ GM gig in January to serve as Tom Telesco‘s replacement. He faced the task of dealing with the financial ramifications related to Williams, Allen and edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa in his first offseason at the helm. The latter two have had their contracts restructured, ensuring they will be in place for at least one more season. Receiver, by contrast, is now a glaring hole on the team’s roster.

Los Angeles has 2023 first-rounder Quentin Johnston in place as a starter for the time being. Josh Palmer – who has operated a third option behind Allen and Williams while stepping in during their respective absences in his career – is entering the final year of his rookie contract. Adding a pass-catcher early in the draft (in addition to perusing the secondary free agent market) will no doubt be a priority for the Chargers. The team currently holds the No. 5 selection in the first round.

Contract Details: Young, Awuzie, Taylor, Rams, Cards, Chargers, 49ers, Lions, Texans

March 20th, 2024 at 10:12am CST by Sam Robinson

With free agency’s first wave in the rearview mirror, here is a look at some of the contracts authorized by teams in the days since the market opened:

  • Chidobe Awuzie, CB (Titans). Three years, $36MM. Contract includes $22.98MM guaranteed. Awuzie’s 2025 base salary ($11.49MM) is guaranteed for injury at signing, with $7.51MM of that total fully guaranteed. Awuzie being on Tennessee’s roster on April 1 of next year locks in the other $3.98MM. The veteran cornerback is a due a $1MM bonus on April 1, 2026, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
  • Darious Williams, CB (Rams). Three years, $22.5MM. Commanding a market, the recent Jaguars cap casualty’s second Rams contract can be worth up to $30MM, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets.
  • Chase Young, DE (Saints). One year, $13MM. The deal includes $7.99MM in per-game roster bonuses, CBS Sports Jonathan Jones notes. Including a $2.7MM base salary and a $1.86MM signing bonus, Young’s New Orleans pact is still heavily tilted toward games active. That will make the defensive end’s recovery from neck surgery worth monitoring more closely.
  • Tyrod Taylor, QB (Jets): Two years, $12MM. Taylor will see $8.5MM fully guaranteed, The Athletic’s Dan Duggan tweets. An additional $6MM in incentives are present in the veteran QB’s deal. Three void years are included here, dropping Taylor’s 2024 cap hit to $2.8MM.
  • DeeJay Dallas, RB (Cardinals): Three years, $8.25MM. Dallas will see $2.4MM guaranteed, Wilson tweets. The final two base salaries on this contract — both worth $2.4MM — are nonguaranteed. Rushing yards-based incentives run up to $750K per year in this deal.
  • Javon Kinlaw, DT (Jets): One year, $7.25MM. The ex-49ers first-rounder will receive a $5.5MM signing bonus, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson indicating the deal also includes $1.75MM in incentives.
  • Gus Edwards, RB (Chargers). Two years, $6.5MM. The ex-Ravens back will see $3.38MM guaranteed, Wilson tweets. Edwards’ $3MM 2025 base salary is nonguaranteed, with Wilson adding he is due a $125K roster bonus on Day 5 of the 2025 league year.
  • Noah Brown, WR (Texans): One year, $4MM. Brown re-signed with the Texans for $3MM guaranteed, per Wilson. The wideout’s second Houston contract can max out at $5MM.
  • Jon Feliciano, G (49ers). One year, $2.75MM. Feliciano will receive a $925K signing bonus, and Wilson adds $1.25MM in incentives are present in this accord.
  • Emmanuel Moseley, CB (Lions). One year, $1.13MM. Moseley will stay in Detroit for the veteran minimum, via the Detroit News’ Justin Rogers. Coming off a second ACL tear in two years, Moseley will receive a $1MM signing bonus. He received $6MM in 2023.

Chargers To Meet With CB Kristian Fulton

March 19th, 2024 at 2:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

Kristian Fulton‘s contract year did not go as he’d hoped. The season included a benching and an IR placement. That impeded the multiyear Titans starter on this year’s market, but interest is still there.

The Chargers are bringing in the former Mike Vrabel-era Titans second-rounder, with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport indicating Fulton will meet with Bolts brass beginning Wednesday as part of a two-day meeting. The Chargers have made some major roster changes under Jim Harbaugh and Joe Hortiz, and they have some lineup openings as a result.

While the Bolts’ cornerback situation pales in comparison to what has happened at wide receiver, the team did lose starter Michael Davis to a Commanders deal. Asante Samuel Jr., whose stock has fluctuated during his rookie contract, joins Ja’Sir Taylor as holdover corners in Los Angeles. And the team will see how Fulton fits.

Fulton will not turn 26 until September, but while ex-Titans teammate Sean Murphy-Bunting collected $14.2MM guaranteed from the Cardinals on a three-year deal, Fulton has needed to schedule a meeting to kickstart his free agency. The Titans used Fulton as a 37-game starter from 2020-23, but he has never played more than 13 games in a season, missing 25 games over his rookie contract. Pro Football Focus graded the LSU alum as a bottom-10 corner last season, with another injury — a hamstring ailment — leading to a season-ending IR placement.

With the Titans having a new coaching staff in place, their new leader — Brian Callahan — brought in an ex-Bengals charge (Chidobe Awuzie) last week. Fulton fared better across the board 2021 and 2022, topping out in ’21 with a 71.3 passer rating and 51.4% completion rate allowed as the closest defender that year. His 2022 marks were in line with that number, though multiple injuries marred Fulton’s third year.

The Chargers are still eating dead money from the J.C. Jackson misstep; the since-traded cornerback is on the Bolts’ 2024 payroll at $20.8MM. The team will also eat $12.5MM from the Mike Williams cut and $11.6MM as as result of the Keenan Allen trade. No notable contracts are on the Bolts’ books at corner, however, so the team could benefit from a veteran coming in to work for new DC Jesse Minter.

Minor NFL Transactions: 3/18/24

March 18th, 2024 at 9:46pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

Seattle Seahawks

Chargers Sign C Bradley Bozeman

March 18th, 2024 at 6:51pm CST by Ben Levine

The Chargers are adding an experienced lineman to their offense. The team announced that they’ve signed center Bradley Bozeman.

The former Ravens sixth-round pick emerged as a consistent starter in Baltimore during his sophomore season. Between 2019 and 2021, Bozeman started all 51 of his appearances for the Ravens (including postseason). After spending the early portion of his career as a left guard, he transitioned to center for the 2021 campaign.

He settled for a one-year deal with the Panthers in 2022. After starting 11 of his 17 appearances during his first season in Carolina, the OL signed a new three-year extension last offseason. Bozeman proceeded to start all 17 of his appearances in 2023, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 21st among 36 qualifying centers. He was released by the Panthers last week.

Bozeman can likely be penciled in as the Chargers starting center heading into 2024. A heart-related issue limited starting center Corey Linsley to only three games this past season, and there’s a chance the veteran ends up calling it a career. Career backup Will Clapp was forced into the lineup following Linsley’s absence, but the veteran is currently unsigned.

WR Mike Williams Adds Pittsburgh To Visits

March 17th, 2024 at 9:06pm CST by Ely Allen

The Steelers have made plenty of headlines over the past week, and it doesn’t seem like they intend to stop any time soon. Pittsburgh has completely transformed their quarterbacks room, and now they have set their sights on their wide receiving corps. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, former Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams will visit the Steelers this week.

Now, this doesn’t ensure that Williams will be the latest addition to this new-look Steelers team, necessarily. Williams already has visits in place with the Jets and Panthers, as well. The Jets are set to host the veteran wide receiver on Monday, while the Panthers’ visit will follow the next day. Unless any other suitors come out of the woodwork, it can be assumed that Pittsburgh will follow shortly after Williams is done in Carolina.

In Pittsburgh, Williams would be joining a wide receivers room that has already undergone some serious change. Former Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson will see Williams before Pittsburgh does after getting traded to the Panthers this week in exchange for cornerback Donte Jackson and a late-round pick swap. They replaced him by signing former Rams wide receiver Van Jefferson.

Jefferson showed promise during a sophomore season in Los Angeles in which he caught 50 balls for 802 yards and six touchdowns for the Super Bowl-winning Rams. Since then, an injury limited Jefferson’s 2022 season and a midseason trade to Atlanta handicapped him last year. Jefferson will pair up with third-year receivers George Pickens, who took over the WR1 duties in Pittsburgh last season, and Calvin Austin III atop the depth chart.

Adding Williams would be an extremely complimentary move to the room. It would allow Austin to continue developing without having too much put on his shoulders too soon, and it wouldn’t require too much from Jefferson, either, allowing him to blossom again in a WR3 role. At the same time, Pickens wouldn’t need to fret about losing all of his targets. He can look to Williams’ several years alongside Keenan Allen as proof of what a WR1 can do with Williams across from them.

In reporting the Steelers’ addition to Williams’ list of visits, Schefter also mentioned that, after clearing up some cap space and trading away Allen, the Chargers have expressed interest in bringing Williams back on a new deal. Without Allen and Willams, Justin Herbert‘s targets consist of Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston, and Derius Davis, as well as new tight ends Will Dissly and Hayden Hurst.

Williams is certainly shopping himself around with three visits scheduled already and more potentially on the horizon if he doesn’t sign a deal. For now, he will peruse the options of catching passes from Bryce Young or Andy Dalton, Aaron Rodgers or Tyrod Taylor, and Russell Wilson or Justin Fields.

Chargers, Denzel Perryman Agree To Deal

March 17th, 2024 at 4:18pm CST by Ben Levine

MARCH 17: Perryman is indeed expected to re-join the Chargers on a one-year deal, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. Fowler adds this will be a $3MM agreement. Given the departures of Murray and Kendricks, a starting role could very well await Perryman upon his return to Los Angeles.

MARCH 16: Denzel Perryman is eyeing a reunion with his former team. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the free agent linebacker has discussed a new deal with the Chargers. Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston describes the recent talks as “productive.”

The former second-round pick spent the first six seasons of his career with the organization. Injuries kept him from reaching his full potential, and the linebacker ended up leaving the organization having started 51 of his 69 appearances.

After signing with the Panthers during the 2021 offseason, Perryman was promptly traded to the Raiders. He ended up having a career season in 2021, finishing with 154 tackles en route to a Pro Bowl nod. He got into another 12 games with the Raiders in 2022 before signing a deal with the Texans last offseason.

Perryman’s 2023 campaign was highlighted by continuous penalties for initiating contact with his helmet. After earning seven such flags through the first 10 weeks, Perryman was slapped with a three-game suspension by the NFL (eventually reduced to two games).

The veteran ended the season having started 11 of his 12 appearances, compiling 76 stops. He added another eight tackles in two playoff games. Pro Football Focus graded Perryman only 71st among 82 qualifying linebackers, but his score was brought down by one of the worst coverage grades at his position. The 31-year-old expressed interest in sticking in Houston for the 2024 campaign.

The Chargers will need someone to soak up linebacker snaps after Kenneth Murray Jr. and Eric Kendricks left via free agency. Nick Niemann is still around for one of the ILB spots, but inexperienced options like Daiyan Henley and free agent addition Troy Dye are the team’s other answers at the position.

WR Keenan Allen Addresses Chargers Departure

March 16th, 2024 at 9:51pm CST by Adam La Rose

The past week has seen new Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz take major steps aimed at cleaning up the team’s salary cap situation. That effort included restructures for edge rushers Khalil Mack and Joey Bosa, along with the release of wideout Mike Williams. Franchise mainstay Keenan Allen was – to the surprise of many, including the six-time Pro Bowler himself – dealt to the Bears in another cost-shedding move.

[RELATED: Texans, Jets Were Interested In Allen Trade]

Los Angeles acquired a fourth-round pick from Chicago after approaching Allen about a pay cut. The 31-year-old declined, citing the strength of his statline from 2023. After expressing confidence he would remain in place for at least the 2024 season, Allen doubled down on the fact he was not expecting to be dealt during his introductory press conference on Saturday.

[I] obviously wanted to finish my career [with the Chargers], but things happen and you’ve got to keep on going,” Allen said. When asked about being asked to take a pay cut, he added, “there really was no emotion, it was, I’m not doing it. I’m not doing it. Came off my best season, so it’s not happening” (h/t NFL.com).

Indeed, Allen’s 95.6 yards per game from the 2023 campaign represent the highest figure of his decorated career. He was limited to 13 contests, but still managed to set a new personal mark in receptions (108) and yards (1,243). While a cap hit of over $34MM would have been challenging to absorb had the Chargers elected to keep him, their decision to cut Williams and re-work the Mack and Bosa pacts would have made it doable. Now, the WR spot faces a number of questions entering 2024 for Los Angeles.

For the Bears, Allen’s arrival will give the team a high-profile tandem alongside vertical threat D.J. Moore. Chicago has also added running back D’Andre Swift as well as tight end Gerald Everett to a new-look skill position room. The new arrivals (along with OC Shane Waldron, hired as Luke Getsy‘s replacement) will be tasked with helping a rookie quarterback improve on the offense’s poor showing from 2023. Maintaining his strong play on third down in particular would go a long way to achieving that goal in Allen’s case.

One year remains on the Cal alum’s contract, so he will have plenty of motivation to thrive in the Windy City in his debut season with the Bears. After seeing his 11-year Chargers tenure come to an end, it will be interesting to see how long he winds up playing in Chicago.

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